Research shows that the parent-child connection is the best predictor of a child’s success later in life.When a child feels a strong connection to their parents, they can be more courageous, loving, and cooperative. Yet, in a society where parents often feel isolated, exhausted, and with limited economic and emotional support, parents struggle to maintain a strong connection with their children.
Parenting by Connection, an approach developed by Patty Wipfler at Hand in Hand Parenting, is built on the idea that when children feel connected to their parents, they thrive. The Parenting by Connection approach is based on a set of “listening tools” for both parent and child. These tools are designed so that children and parents get the support they need. Listening, parent-to-parent and parent-to-child is the foundation of this support.
Listening to children through their emotional moments, setting aside individual time for child-directed play, and play that elicits laughter are just a few tools that can help the social, emotional, and cognitive functioning of a child. Listening tools help parents address underlying emotional issues that can send a child “off track” and leave a parent feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
But Parenting by Connection offers more than a few tools to help parents when times get tough. It is an approach that gives parents the support they need to make powerful changes in their families. When parents are able to express the challenges they experience and are given specific techniques to address aggression, separation anxiety, fears, sleep challenges, and more, parents feel confident about their parenting and they are better able to develop strong, loving relationships with their children. The listening tools that parents learn through Parenting by Connection can help them make lasting changes, not only in their own families but also in the communities around them.