PARENTING: 7 THINGS THAT CAN HELP YOUR FATHER-SON RELATIONSHIP

The father-son relationship can be complex and also be hard to relate to one another. Here are some key elements to creating and building a strong father-son relationship.

1.     Recognize a son is influenced by the father. Our sons learn about being a man primarily by watching and listening to their fathers. As he watches his dad interact with other men, he will learn how men talk, as a young man watches his father interact with his mother, he learns about respect (or disrespect), and about how men and women interact and about how men should deal with conflict and differences. How to relate with one another and how they deal with masculine issues. Fathers who understand their influence on their sons will help them think more in-depth about the relationship and take it more seriously.

2.     Develop common interests. Learn about each other. Take the time to talk about what you’re both interested in and then take part in the activities. If your son enjoys listening to Led Zeppelin, take the time to listen with him or go on Youtube to watch some videos. Also, ask your son to be a part of some of the hobbies you enjoy. You never know, he might like the things you do and can become a great bonding activity or more.

3.     Get a little wild. I think a lot of boys, especially teenage boys, like to be active and play rough. The little bit of wild behavior can become a bonding experience, but, remember to keep them safe. Some wrestling in the backyard can possibly translate into activities such as weight lifting, football, skateboarding or ice hockey.

4.     Do something meaningful together. Some dads and sons build a tree house or take a trip together. Whatever it is, organize a meaningful experience your son will remember and enjoy that will last a long time and make memories you will talk about together for decades.

5.     Don’t be afraid of the big talk. Take the time to teach your sons about sex and relationships. Being open to having these conversations will help your son develop better attitudes about sex and girls in general. You will find your relationship will become stronger after this type of conversation.

6.     Focus on the positives. We are bombarded with negative messages all around us. Just watching commercials on television can create a sense of insecurity in your teenage son. They’ll think they’re not strong enough or attractive enough like the men they see in magazines. Fathers should create positive ways to celebrate accomplishments providing them encouragement which will help your son overcome negativism they confront.

7.     Make one on one time. We need to make time for individual relationships with each child. Spending one on one time with your son will make him feel you want to personally get to know him. This also allows little distractions and an opportunity for you to be completely present with him.

Fathers focusing on their sons will then develop a nurturing and meaningful relationships thereby helping their sons to form attitudes which will allow them develop into happy and successful men.

Originally published at teenagesons.com

 




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