As much as we may want to deny it, our parents often define who we are and how we interact with the world. We may take their love and guidance for granted, but those moments of understanding and support can mean everything when we feel lost or overwhelmed.
Matt Teeple’s Take on Maintaining Parent-Child Relationship
It’s not always easy to maintain a healthy relationship with our parents. But if you want to stay connected, there are several things you can do to ensure your bond remains strong. Matt Teeple outlines three ways to maintain a strong relationship with your parents—no matter how old you get!
Communicate and Empathize
When communicating with your parents, it’s important to be clear, concise, and respectful. Avoiding communication or being passive-aggressive will only lead to tension and conflict.
It’s also crucial that you try to see things from their perspective. Just because they’re older doesn’t mean they don’t know what they’re talking about! According to Matt Teeple, you must show that you value their opinion and experience by listening to what they say.
And finally, don’t forget to show your appreciation. A simple “thank you” goes a long way in showing them that you care about their role in your life.
Set Boundaries
It is important to set boundaries with your parents to maintain a healthy relationship. When you are clear about what you will and will not tolerate from them, it becomes easier to protect yourself from their toxic behaviors.
Some boundaries you may want to set with your parents include:
- Limiting contact to only when necessary
- Setting strict limits on what topics you will discuss
- Not tolerating any form of abuse (physical, emotional, or verbal)
- Refusing to enable their bad behavior
It is also important to communicate your boundaries clearly to your parents. Give them a chance to respect your wishes but be prepared to follow through with consequences if they do not.
Spend Quality Time Together without Distractions
It can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day distractions of life and let time with your parents slip by. But a concerted effort to spend quality time together without distractions is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship.
Set aside time each week to have a conversation with your parents that isn’t about logistics or problem-solving. Matt Teeple suggests talking about your hopes, dreams, and fears. Share something you’re struggling with or something that made you laugh recently. Just connect on a human level.
And make sure to put away your phones! When spending time together, give your undivided attention to your parents. It will mean the world to them and is a great way to show how much you love and appreciate them.
Matt Teeple’s Concluded Thoughts
Matt Teeple has provided some helpful insight into how you can maintain a healthy relationship with your parents. Regular communication and gratitude for what they do for you are essential to building a strong bond with your parents that will last through adulthood.
Ultimately, though it may not always be easy to keep these tips in mind, taking time each day to practice them will help create a positive relationship between you and your parents, which benefits everyone involved.