Why connecting with kids is so important.
Hi, grownups! Lily and Eduardo here.
We’ve spent many days trying to figure out what our first newsletter should be about. For us, this is such a big deal. We are fired up to share all the great things that we’ve learned - and will continue to do so - specifically about the connection between kids and a grownup (whether it's the parent, grandparent, aunt, stepdad, nanny, etc.).
We know that your attention span is short - so is ours. We've then decided to always try to keep it simple and short. If you feel like diving deeper, we’ll add some links. Hope you enjoy it, and please send us your thoughts and feedback anytime.
Connection.
This little word is big for us. So big, that we created a whole company around it. Why? Because it’s crucial and we are not focusing on it enough. We’ll tell you more about that later, but for now, we wanted to share some quotes/definitions we really like:
"The connection between parents and children is the foundation upon which the child builds their understanding of the world. It's a bond that shapes futures and weaves the story of family."
- Fred Rogers
"Human connection is not merely a desire; it is an instinct woven into the fabric of our existence. In the tapestry of survival, threads of companionship and shared experience bind us together, for it is through connection that we find strength, purpose, and the resilience to navigate the intricate dance of life."
- Albert Camus
"Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment."
- Brené Brown
It matters.
In one of the hundreds of conversations we had about parenting, Eduardo and I got curious about one question: How does the quality of the bond we have with our kids affect them?
Well, I'm glad we asked! The research is crystal clear: the level and quality of a parent-kid connection affect a whole bunch of aspects of their lives - not only immediately, but in the long run. The main ones:
Mental, emotional, AND physical health
Academic success
Social skills
Resilience
Reduced risky behaviors and violence
Positive parenting experience (it helps us too!)
Effective parent-child communication
Contribution to society
What now?
This newsletter is not supposed to tell you “THE best recipe”. We want to talk about the notion that connection is an active exercise of trial and error, and then some reflection. We're here to explore ways of connecting.
If you got a little inspired and feel like adding something to your bonding toolkit right now, here is a quick question to ask for both of you to have the chance to reflect on what makes you feel connected to each other.
Ask your kid(s): "What are some activities you love doing with me?"
And then share yours too. Take note of this list together. Stick it to the fridge! Or the bathroom mirror if you like a clean fridge like me.
Quick tip: avoid approaching them for this conversation when they are distracted or playing. Maybe dinner time?
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