Hey there!

Ok, so we all know that a breakdown of your parent-child relationship sucks! It doesn’t matter how short the breakdown is… it still feels terrible. 

Let’s not even talk about the times when we get stuck in power struggles with our kiddos (and it feels like your relationship is permanently stuck in the breakdown lane)! 😭

Let’s take a look today at avoiding these breakdowns once and for all!

As parents, there are many testing times we face. And we pray, wish, and dream for things to be better, or easier, or smoother. I mean...

• How many times have you prayed your child would just listen to you and not keep pushing you away?
• How many times have you fantasized about resolving issues without a shouting match with them?
• How often have you seen a parent have an ‘easy, effortless’ relationship with their child, and wished you could have that too.
• And haven’t we all dreamt of being able to earn some ‘goodwill’ with our kids? (to exchange for some ‘leeway’ when we’re having a hard day ourselves)

Well, bestselling author, Dr.Laura Markham showed up as a fairy godmother in one of our Academy masterclasses to make these parenting dreams come true.

All of them! 

Yes, even the one where we can earn ‘goodwill’ with our kids, to cash in on our bad days.

And all with just one tiny but powerful tool, that she calls “Special Time”. 

It’s as simple as 10 minutes of designated one-on-one time with your child. 

Your child chooses an activity they’d like to do with you, and you fully show up for it… Turn off screens, shut down distractions, and for just 10 minutes, you’re all theirs.

Sounds simple. Perhaps even too simple, right?. 

But it works WONDERS over time.

Think of ‘special time’ as ‘preventive maintenance’ for your relationship with your child. The scheduled exclusive time spent connecting with your child helps build a stronger bond and makes them feel more loved. 

It’s like making tiny ‘goodwill’ deposits into their emotional bank accounts. 

So on days when the going is rough, your relationship makes it through safely! 

Without this ‘goodwill’, your relationship with your child will be running on fumes. And when there’s a difficult day, and the last straw gets pulled, your relationship ends up in the breakdown lane!

If you need any more convincing to give it a shot, here’s what one parent said after trying it out:

Dr.Laura's 10-minute special time therapy for kids is great. It turned out to be a miracle for me.

I am a mom of a 4.5 years strong-willed child. Our power battles had created an unseen wall between us, and I was feeling like I was losing him.

But when I applied the special time technique on him his behavior changed magically!!! I’m so thankful!

- Hira K

And Hira is not the only mom who has said this to us. 

Over and over, when parents try special time, they come back as raving fans. (Even the skeptical ones who were convinced it could never work on their kids.)

They sing praises about the magical transformation they’ve seen in their child! 

It works, no matter your child’s age, gender, or personality. So give it a shot!

As usual, we won’t leave you hanging with just the theory of an idea. 

We’ve put together 8 practical tips for you to ease into (and make the most of) an effective Special Time with your child.

Download Your Day #4 Guide To Implementing Special Time Here

Remember: In many situations, Special Time can take a few sessions to start showing some real impact. And in the beginning, there may be some tears involved too. It is all normal! 

(After all, deep relationships aren’t built in a day!) 

Simply follow the guide and keep at it. You’ll soon see the connection magic unfold!

Talk soon,
Sumitha

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P.S.: If you’re constantly overworked, and struggle to make time for the luxury of playing with your child… (ie: all parents), we’ve got a kickass parental time-saving tip coming up for you tomorrow. Look for it!