Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP of A New Day Pediatric Psychology is back this week with some wisdom on the importance of parent-child relationships. Watch the video and read what she has to say below!
Never focus on changing your child’s behavior that you forget to have a relationship with them.
I know It’s frustrating to try to raise an obedient and well-behaved child, in other words, a perfect child. One who listens when you ask them to do things, who eats their food without sighs or complaints, and even answers yes to everything you say—the perfect child.
I think we’re missing the point of the parenting journey. A big part of the journey is to raise a person who is respectful, kind, and a healthy, productive member of society.
If you have a child who is not obedient and misbehaving a lot, it doesn’t mean you have failed as a parent.
Constant punishments and telling them how badly they have messed up leads to them eventually believing what you are expecting of them: “If I’m always in trouble, being yelled at, and punished, then I must be a terrible kid and I should just live up to it.”
Let’s change that narrative now.
Your child should hear and feel unconditional love from you. Accept your kids as they are.
Our most important job as a parent is to be loving while having a fulfilling and meaningful relationship with our child.
Your relationship with your child forms the foundation for all other relationships they will have in the future.
How do we do that? We connect. Simply connect. All other strategies work best coming from a foundation of connection.
Thanks so much for joining me during this video series with 1n5. It has been an absolute joy collaborating with this amazing organization!