The more positive interactions you have with your children, the more comfortable they will feel around you. That opens a very important door between you in times of stress. They need to feel that coming to you when they have a problem is a Good Idea. That’s the trust every positive relationship includes.
By now, you should be rocking the Venn Diagram with your kiddos, but in case you’re new here, Venn Diagrams provide a vehicle for you to introduce topics to your kids (directions are below). They also provide a peek into the way their minds work. Believe me… you need that peek!
It all boils down to this: The more positive interactions/memories you build together, the stronger the foundation of trust will be in your parent-child bond.
10 Great Parenting Topics
Create a viable Venn Diagram with one of these concepts, unless you have a better idea:
- Fun female activities you can do together (manicure, tai chi, etc.)
- All-time best movies (then watch the Section C movies together)
- Best cartoon/animation movies
- Impressive heroines—fiction and nonfiction
- Best-looking male celebrities
- Where would you like to go/do on your next vacation?
- Possible makeover ideas (including the less obvious: rooms, people, relationships)
- Best sports or teams
- All-time best TV series
- Favorite outfits for a high school dance/cocktail party with associates
Directions for Your New Parenting Strategy
1. Introduce the venerable Venn Diagram at some random moment when nothing hangs in the balance.
2. Inform your daughter that you are attempting to improve the relationship between you, and as part of that process, when she has time, you’d to share an idea with her.
3. Be prepared. Bring pen and paper, and a copy of the Venn Diagram with you.
4. To create a collaborative atmosphere, sit next to her, not across from her.
5. Decide on a topic together (favorite movies, songs, moments, ways to have fun, etc.) to practice.
6. Each of you writes your own Top 10 List separately.
7. Fill in the Venn Diagram.
–> One circle is for your favorites.
–> One circle is for her favorites.
–> Everything that appears on both of your lists goes into the intersection of the 2 circles.
–> Cherry pick anything you like from each other’s circle, and add it to that sassy Section C!
The intersection of your favorites where the magic happens. That common ground is what you agree on. Go to How To Keep Your Daughter From Slamming the Door to find out more.
About the Author
Deborah Ann Davis (B.S. in Science Education, M.Ed. in Supervision, and W.I.T.S Personal Trainer Certified) is a parenting coach and strategist.
Whether you’re looking to bring more positivity into your life, or you’re ready to seek the advice of a Parenting Coach, she’s eager to help you put happiness back into parenting.
Deborah has helped hundreds of families over the years, using her experience as an educator and a mother. She has decades of experience dealing with teenagers – as a mother and an educator.
Learn how to improve your mother-daughter relationship today. Every minute you delay prolongs the isolation your child feels while disconnected from you. She’s waiting for you to figure it out, so why not skip the “trial and error” parenting route?
Don’t forget to book your Free 30 Minute Chat.
