Here are some parenting tips adapted from Dr. Katrina Wood’s psychotherapy blog Shrink Central.
Your child needs a wise parent, not another friend. Establish boundaries, structure and consequences.
Don’t assume you know everything about your child. You don’t.
Begin your talks with an affirmation. Validate what your child is trying to say.
Children need daily contact and communication from their parents. This is more true than ever with smartphones that bring so many distractions.
Be touchy-feely: Hugging and touching your child is far more important than previously known.
Children feel loneliness and pain more than has previously been acknowledged or understood. Ask them how they are feeling about both the little things in life and the big events. Let them know you are interested in their experiences.
Never ask your child to keep secrets for you.
Never ever threaten your child with abandonment, even in jest.
Don’t use money to “buy” or bribe your child. This gives your child a template for manipulating you. Say: “I love you, I understand your frustration, but I cannot buy you this toy.”
Keep your temper. Adopt an even non-judgmental tone. If you feel uncontrollable anger coming on, give yourself a time out.
If you feel overwhelmed, seek help. This is your right and responsibility.
Come to terms with the fact that your children feel pain and loneliness and shame more than you know. Validate your children’s fear and anxiety.
Give age-appropriate responses to your child’s questions and expression of feelings. Do not over-explain. Sometimes less is more.
Take time for yourself. Just like on an airplane, put the oxygen mask on first, so you are able to take care of your child. Manage your own stress.