Healthy relationships
Key information this page includes:
Bonding with your 19+ year old
As your child becomes an adult, they will be beginning to recognise and respect the new levels of personal independence that they are gaining. It is important to adapt to their maturity by moving from a direct style of parenting to one that encourages mutual respect and co-operation. When you are making plans and arrangements, try to make sure it fits with their schedules too so that they still feel involved and respected as a person.
Sibling relationships
When your children reach this age there may be a change in how they interact with their siblings. Some siblings may become closer than they have ever been as they start experiencing the same sort of events and milestones as they grow into adulthood, and share these experiences with each other, looking for advice or a partner. Other siblings may grow apart, as their individual interests and desires take them down different life paths. As parents, it is important to encourage your children to maintain open communication and understanding between your children whether they are close or distant, so they can embrace the changes they are experiencing. Planning activities for the whole family that involves interests of all your children can help maintain a sense of togetherness.
Developing new relationships and consent
As your child becomes a young adult they may start exploring romantic and sexual relationships. You can try and help them understand what it means to be in a healthy and respectful relationship. Talking to them about the importance of communication, empathy and respect will help them to understand how to build positive relationships. Conversations about how relationships, trust and intimacy can be difficult when they are young can help guide them towards making good decisions so talking to them about relationships and consent will help them understand how to take care of themselves and others.
Separated parents and their children
As your children are getting older, it is as important as ever to maintain open communication with your child’s other parent. Making sure that both of you have consistent rules in both houses and make sure that you don’t create bad images of the other parent in your child’s mind, they need to be able to view you both positively. This is especially important as they are old enough now to understand any negative words and phrases that you may use about the other parent. Provide support and celebrate achievements together even though you are separated, this will help your children understand positive relationships and habits that they may be able to learn from.