10 Ways to Connect with Your Child

We all go through difficult seasons. It could be a change in a relationship, the loss of someone you love, dealing with a school or work issue, handling a trauma, or dealing with anxiety, stress, and other issues. The possibilities feel endless.

Navigating these hard seasons with children is particularly challenging. Whether it is something you are going through or something your child faces, your child needs you. Finding ways to connect can feel like one more impossible thing in a hard season. But you can connect with your child in small ways that make a big difference.

10 Ways to Connect with Your Child

Whether it is you facing the challenge, your child, or both of you, try these 10 ways to connect with your child.

Sit close to one another.

You don’t have to have deep interactions to feel connected. Sometimes physical proximity brings comfort. Try sitting close to your child while you do something. It could be watching something, doing homework, reading a book, or scrolling on your phone.

Stop and breathe.

Deep breathing is a helpful strategy to explore when you face something difficult. By doing this with your child, you can both engage in something helpful. Try breathing in through your nose for a count of five, holding for a count of two, and exhaling for a count of seven. You can hold up your fingers to count with little ones.

Get outside.

Fresh air, sunshine, and grass are helpful ways to reset your body and feel grounded. You don’t have to do this for a long time, but intentionally having time outdoors is a good way to feel calm as you and your child connect.

Extra snuggles.

Even though you may feel overwhelmed or busy, taking extra time to snuggle is helpful for both you and your child. You can snuggle as you watch a movie, read a book, or talk about your day.

Read a book.

Stories are a great way to take a break from feelings and escape. While you can’t avoid all your feelings, reading a book is a defined time to get lost in a story. Sometimes taking a break from your feelings is a good way to calm down and gain perspective.

Dance break.

Take a break in the middle of whatever you’re doing and dance. Crank up some fun music and dance around together. This provides a break from intense feelings and a physical release in addition to providing something fun to do with your child.

Get creative.

Try doing something creative with your child. It could be drawing, coloring, painting, or some other creative outlet. This is a great way to connect and express feelings without having to talk.

Build and break.

Sometimes people need a release of tension or hard feelings they hold inside. Try building a tower with blocks or creating something with play dough. Once you build something, each of you can destroy your creations by knocking down the tower or smashing the play dough. This is a safe way to release pent-up feelings like anger or frustration.

Give extra long hugs.

While you may hug your kids regularly, it can sometimes feel rushed. Take a few extra beats while you hug your kids. You can both exhale and feel some of the tension let go.

Talk to someone.

Hard seasons are a good time to seek the help of a counselor. Connecting with a Christian counselor together provides an opportunity for you both to work through the hard season you face. Get started by connecting with a counselor at Redlands Christian Counseling today.