Tips for Parents

Last week I introduced the idea of relationships in general, moving away for a moment from those tricky and value-laden words 'parenting' and 'behaviour'. 

If we want any relationship to thrive, partner, friend, family, what does it need? It usually needs - 

Time - good quality time (I'll talk about this next week) 

Attention - positive attention that is focused on what's going well.

Communication - the ability to let the other person know how you're feeling and to be able to get your needs met appropriately, and the ability to 'actively listen' to them, so you understand what's going on for them and what they need.

Affection - lots of physical connection if wanted; kisses, cuddles, strokes, pats. Lots of non-physical if not; blow kisses, winks, thumbs up, high-fives.

Have a look at the quality of your closest relationships. What would make them even better?