As human beings, we are all wired for connection. Children especially from a very young age need to feel that they have a secure relationship with their parents. Having at least one secure attachment figure in a child’s life is key to the overall emotional and mental wellbeing of the child. As a marriage and family therapist in Dubai and certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) couple’s therapist in Dubai, I do relationship coaching and help parents take practical and realistic steps to connect with their children.
As a family therapist, I always emphasize to parents who come for family counseling with me the importance of choosing presence over perfectionism with their children. Our children do not need perfect parents because no such parents exist in real life. What our children need are parents who are present emotionally for them. Dr. Sue Johnson, the founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), explains that children need to feel that their parents are accessible, responsive, and engaged with them. When a child feels secure, they can be independent, confident, and happy.
3 Tips To Connect With Your Child
- Listen to your kids and look in their eyes while they talk to you making sure to give them your full focus and attention. This makes them feel that they matter and that they are loveable and worthy. Just be present in the here and now with them and resist the urge to give advice during those moments especially when they have big emotions.
- Spend quality time with your children where you bond with them in an activity that they enjoy. Make this bonding moment fun and playful. This makes your child feel connected to you. At the end of the day what matters is not the quantity of time you spend with your kids, it’s the quality of the time you spend together that makes all the difference in the relationship.
- Be physically affectionate with your children. Virginia Satir, the mother of Family Therapy says that “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” Physical touch is extremely important for the healthy growth of our children.
Book Your Marriage Counseling and Couples Therapy Now
If you would like to create a stronger connection with your partner or your family members, now is the time to be proactive and get engaged in couples counseling and couples’ therapy. Marriage and family therapy help you strengthen your relationship and become better partners and parents for your children. It is essential to understand that involving an experienced, caring, and non-judgmental couples’ therapist can make a huge difference. As a Marriage and Family Therapist based in Dubai, I work with couples from all over the world to overcome the challenges they face in their relationship. Marriage counseling in Dubai and Couples therapy in Dubai is incredibly effective. If you are searching for a professional and a highly qualified marriage counselor and couple’s therapist, an ICEEFT certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist (EFT) in Dubai, to help you get through your difficult times, please reach out to me. I meet my clients face to face in my office in Dubai or do marriage and family counseling online via zoom. If you are anywhere in the world and feel like speaking to a Family and Couples Counselor and doing couples therapy at the convenience of your home, please contact me at ds@www.daliasheiha.com or WhatsApp me on 00971502369395.