7 Practical Hacks to Strengthen Your Parent-Child Bond Inspired by "Hold On to Your Kids"

By Linkup Influence Updated: Sep 5, 2024, 20:20 IST

Many people have read "Hold On to Your Kids," by Gordon Neufeld. It's mostly about how important the parent-child bond is to a child's growth and how peer relationships can have a big effect on this. According to Neufeld, it's very important for parents and kids to stay close, especially now that kids are more likely to be influenced by their friends. Inspired by Neufeld's ideas, here are seven useful hacks that can help you and your child have a better bond and grow up in a healthy way.

1. Prioritize Connection

Building and keeping a strong bond with your child should be your top concern. Being physically present isn't enough; you have to make an effort to connect emotionally and mentally as well. Plan to spend time alone with your child every day, without any other people around. This could be a movie night once a week, a daily walk, or just eating dinner together without phones or other electronics in the way. During these times, have deep talks with others by asking them about their day and telling them about your own. By showing that you care and are interested in your child, you show them that they are respected and important, which makes them feel safe and supported in their relationship with you.

2. Be Present and Available

It's not enough to just be in the same place to be present. It means focussing on your child and not letting things like phones, computers, or work-related worries get in the way. Be sure to give your child your full attention when you're with them. This could mean paying close attention when they talk, taking part in their activities, or just being there to help them when they need it. Your appearance shows your child that you care about them, which helps you connect emotionally and makes it easier to talk to them.

3. Understand the Impact of Peers

Peers have a big impact on how your child acts, what they believe, and how they feel about things. Being aware of the people your child hangs out with and how these ties impact them is important. Talk to them about their friends and social life, and give them advice on how to handle these situations. Help your kid find a balance between what their friends want and what their family morals say. You can help your child develop a healthy outlook and make decisions that are in line with their own values and your family's values by learning about how peer relationships work.

4. Set Clear Boundaries

Setting clear and constant limits is important for your child's safety and to help them understand what is and isn't okay to do. Make rules that are in line with your family's beliefs and make sure your child understands them. Tell your child why these rules are in place to help them understand what they're for. Making sure you follow these rules every time is important for creating a stable space where your child knows what to expect and feels safe. Setting limits is a good way to control your child's behaviour and teach them the values and principles you want them to have.

5. Encourage Emotional Expression

Making a place for your child to feel safe to talk about their feelings is important for their mental growth. Encourage your kid to be honest about how they feel and what they've been through. If you don't always agree with their point of view, show that you understand and accept their feelings. You can help them become more emotionally intelligent and strong by recognising their feelings. This loving space makes your relationship stronger and gives your child the tools they need to deal with their feelings in a healthy way.

6. Model Healthy Relationships

A lot of what kids learn comes from watching their parents. Through the way you treat others, show others how to keep relationships healthy and polite. Teach your child how to deal with disagreements in a healthy way, how to speak clearly, and how to end a disagreement without fighting. The way you act around others sets an example for your child. Teaching your child good relationship skills by example helps them understand how to handle their own friendships and future relationships, which is important for their social growth.

7. Engage in Family Activities

Family activities bring people closer together and help them make memories that will last a lifetime. Do things that bring people together and help them work together, like game nights, cooking sessions, or trips outside. These shared events not only give everyone a chance to have fun, but they also bring the family closer together and help everyone work together. Family activities that you do together on a regular basis help everyone feel like they fit and strengthen the bonds between family members, which makes for a supportive and cohesive home life.

Based on the book "Hold On to Your Kids," these seven useful tips will help you build a strong bond with your child and guide them through the tricky world of peer pressure. You can make a supportive environment for your child to grow by putting connection first, being present, setting limits, encouraging emotional expression, showing them how to have healthy relationships, and doing activities as a family. These tips will not only strengthen the bond between you and your child, but they will also help your child learn the values and skills they need to get along with others.

Hold On to Your Kids