Families For Life | Connecting with people in your child's world

As your child grows and explores beyond the safety and warmth of your arms, their world expands with new connections. These bonds shape their confidence, identity, and sense of belonging. By supporting and guiding these relationships, you help your child feel secure as they step into the great big world.

But don’t just stay on the sidelines, step into the circle! Get to know the people who matter to your child and build those connections too. When your child sees you engaging with their world, it strengthens their sense of trust and belonging.

Extended Family

Relationships with extended family help your child develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging. They also create a wider support network - after all, it takes a village to raise a child. Regular interactions with cousins and other relatives can also help build your child’s social and communication skills. If you are looking to strengthen these important bonds, here’s an article that shares some simple ways to reconnect.

Teachers

Teachers play a significant role in your child’s life, given how much time they spend together - often more than anyone else during the week. From the start, it helps to build a strong partnership with your child’s teachers so you can work together in your child’s best interests.

Support them by sharing useful information about your child – their strengths, challenges, and interests, and be open to their feedback. Participating in school events also shows your child that their education and relationships matter to you.

Friends

Friendships become more meaningful as your child grows, bringing deeper emotions like trust, loyalty, and a sense of security. As your child begins to spend more unsupervised time with friends, it’s helpful to know who they are and how they influence your child.

Get to know their parents too! Staying connected helps you stay informed, and it’s useful to keep each other updated, especially if the kids are spending time at each other’s homes. Let your child know their friends are welcome in your home. It builds trust and gives you a glimpse into their friendship dynamic. Just remember to keep a low profile instead of hovering nearby to show you respect their growing independence!

Healthcare Providers

Build a relationship with your child’s doctor and healthcare providers by attending appointments, asking questions, and sharing updates on your child’s health and behaviour. This helps them understand your child more holistically and provide more tailored care. Open communication also makes it easier to address any concerns early and make confident, informed decisions together.

It’s not always easy to keep up as your child’s world expands, but showing up, even in small ways, makes a big difference. By forming meaningful connections with the people who matter to your child, you’re not only supporting their growth, you’re strengthening your bond with them too!