It’s natural for
parents and children to want to spend time together. However, with a busy
work-life, school, after-school activities and other distractions, it could be
hard to be able to set aside time to check in with your loved ones. Things
happen and sometimes interactions slip through the cracks, but there are ways
to make sure you do get that quality time with your loved ones.
Find a Routine
Amanda Marker is the
Lead Outpatient Therapist for the Youth Crisis Center. She recommends creating
an after-school plan to help not just cut down on the chaos of making sure
homework is done but to create more time with your child. The after-school plan
could mean your child will spend one hour doing their homework or an hour of
reading with you. This also helps set expectations.
Talk With Your Child
Don’t be afraid to
just pull your child aside to talk with them. Marker suggests asking them how
they’re doing or asking about school. She says you should use active listening
skills to understand what is going on in your child’s life. Marker wants to
remind you to validate your child’s feelings, adding she believes they want you
to let them know that you care about them. According to Marker, as parents, we
may not be able to fully understand what is going on in a child’s life if we
are not actively checking in with them or asking how they are.
Youth Crisis Center’s
Outpatient Behavioral Health Program
The Youth Crisis Center was founded in 1974 as Florida’s first run-away program and has grown to be one of the largest and best-known providers of services for youth and families. Nationally recognized as setting a standard in youth services, YCC has been ranked as one of the top five programs in the United States by the Youth Policy Institute in Washington DC. Throughout the past 45 years, YCC has helped thousands of youth and their families overcome adversity and build stronger relationships.
Are you concerned
about relationship issues with your child or between family members? The Youth
Crisis Center’s Outpatient Behavioral Health program provides
comprehensive mental health and psychiatric care to children as young as 3, as
well as their families. Parents may receive individual and family counseling
services regardless if their child is a YCC client. Click to learn more about 5 Ways to
Improve Your Interpersonal Relationships.
