How can we truly love our children, build character into their lives, teach them how to live for the Lord, and discipline them effectively without relationship? Having a strong, healthy relationship with our children is critical to effective parenting. When you have a good relationship with your children, they will know from experience that you love them, that you care about them, and that they can trust you to lead them in the right way. Relationship builds trust, intimacy, and connection. Additionally, a healthy relationship with you will teach them how to have healthy relationships with others.

Strong relationships with our children don’t just happen. It takes intentionality. It necessitates spending one-on-one time with each individual child, getting to know their unique needs, personality, gifts, abilities, hopes, dreams, and learning what motivates and demotivates them. It involves caring for them in good times and bad, encouraging them, supporting them, cheering them on, and keeping the lines of meaningful communication open at all times.

Maintaining a good relationship requires loving your child without conditions and praying with and for them faithfully. It also involves demonstrating kindness, understanding, grace, and loyalty so there is no doubt that you are there for them and have their best interests at heart.