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Tips for building strong family relationships
- Build a channel for communication.
Every child needs someone to rely
on. A parent can be that person by
listening without judging and offering
positive feedback. Talking things over
is far better than acting out.
- Be aware of how your child normally
behaves. Sudden changes in feelings
and actions are part of a normal child’s
life. Still, changes that come big and
fast can be a warning signal. Watch
for drastic changes in friends, grades
or mood.
 Make a family contract that sets clear rules for your older child’s behavior.
Older children like the freedom to choose within a set of simple and secure
rules. Discuss and write down a family constitution. Focus future disagreements
on the rules, instead of on people. This document should be updated
as needed.- Teach the link between an action and its consequences. Children do learn from
their mistakes. Parents can help by allowing children to experience the outcome
of their actions within reason. Experiencing small mistakes now could mean
avoiding big ones later.
- Wavering is normal. Even “model” children break rules now and then. Learn to
look at patterns of behavior. Overreacting to a rare slip-up can damage the trust
between parent and child.
- Walk your talk. Children imitate their parents’ actions, even later in the teen
years. A good way to convince a child not to do something is to quit doing it
yourself. Actions speak louder than words.
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