“Are You Unknowingly Pushing Your Kids Away? Discover the 8 Common Mistakes Even Loving Parents Make!”
But real connection comes from making them feel understood. That means putting down the phone, making eye contact, and truly listening—not just waiting for your turn to talk.
2) They dismiss their child’s feelings
I’ll never forget the time my daughter came to me in tears because her best friend didn’t want to sit with her at lunch. Without thinking, I said, “Oh, don’t be upset about that. It’s not a big deal—you’ll be friends again tomorrow.”
I meant well. I wanted to comfort her, to help her move past the pain. But instead, I watched her face fall as she quietly nodded and walked away. In that moment, I realized what I had done—I had dismissed her feelings instead of validating them.
