The Power of Eye Contact in Parent-Child Relationships

Here’s a simple tip to make all your parent/kid relationships better:

Look them in the eye.

I didn’t say it was easy. I said it was simple.

Eye contact works with kids at any age. With the three-year-old, don’t talk down to them  (both in tone and physically). Remember how tall you look. Get down on their level and speak to them like you would another person who is not your kid. Look into their eyes and let them see yours.  

For the teenager, simply put down your phone and engage with them eye-to-eye. Don’t be distracted. Instead of nagging them to put down their phone, lead with the example of putting down yours and giving them your full attention.  

The result?  

• Your relationship improves as they see you paying real attention to them.  

• You can start to ask for them to do the same for you.
• You will actually get to know them better because you focus better on the person when you have eye contact with someone.  

Eye contact. Try it. See if your kids don’t respond to you better.