Parent-Child Conflict: How to Reduce Problems

Posted: May 9, 2022

Parental involvement is one of the most important elements in a child’s life. Children who do not have good relationships with their parents often suffer from mental health issues later in life.

Addressing parent-child conflict early on is one way to build the relationship between the parent and the child. But how can you build a relationship with your child that’s fulfilling and addresses conflict healthily?

If you’re struggling with parent-child relationship problems, here are some tips to get you and your child on the same page.

Connect and Communicate

One of the best things you can do to tackle parent-child conflict is to connect with your child. Connecting needs to be done before conflicts arise so you and your child can solve problems with a solid relational foundation.

To communicate and connect with your child, you should listen to them and acknowledge their feelings, ask questions, and talk about the situation. This way, the child feels heard and you’re able to communicate what you need to say effectively.

Set Boundaries and Consequences

Parental expectations for children vary in families but setting boundaries and consequences are important. Establishing boundaries and consequences for behavior that’s unwarranted in your home helps your child understand their limits. It also keeps everyone safe.

You’ll need to establish boundaries and consequences before problems happen. However, if a problem arises that you’re not prepared for, make sure to establish a consequence so the child knows they should not exhibit that behavior. For example, “If you hit your sister again, your consequence will be X, Y, Z.”

Routine

Having a routine helps the child know what to expect and limits your interactions with conflict.

If your child is in school, establish a morning routine that consists of getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, and so forth. Set a similar routine for smaller children.

If there’s an interruption in their routine, communicate that ahead of time. For example, if you need to run an errand on a day when you wouldn’t, let the child know before leaving and give plenty of time to get ready.

Family Counseling

Sometimes conflicts run deep and you need a professional to step in. This is where family counseling benefits you and your child.

Family counseling consists of seeing family members that are having a difficult time communicating or getting along. The counselor or psychologist talks with these family members to create a plan for better communication.

Parent Counseling

If you’re not ready for family therapy, parent counseling is another option. Parent counseling sees you, the parent or parents, and works with you to refine your parenting skills and give you tools to succeed.

Some therapists work with parents regarding their parenting style and how they can best implement the methods for helping you with your child.

Solving Parent-Child Conflict

When you know how to address parent-child conflict you can feel confident in improving your relationship with your child. Having a great relationship with your child now prepares you for more parenting challenges down the road.

Are you interested in improving your parent-child relationship with family counseling? Contact us today about setting up your appointment.

Online Counseling & Coaching Services in California:

As an experienced California relationship coach, I offer online counseling & coaching in California for individuals, couples, and families.

For more information, you can email me at [email protected] or call me at 949-385-2544 today for a free consultation.