Nurturing Lifelong Connections with the Next Generation [M_39]

Building relationships with kids that last a lifetime takes work, understanding, and respect for each other. Building a strong, long-lasting bond with them that will help them throughout their lives can be done by communicating clearly, showing interest, and encouraging freedom.

This is how Author Suryanarayana-SV spends time with his grandson. An imaginary picture generated using AI tool.

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I still remember the day my 11-year-old grandson, who lives with my wife and me while his parents are abroad, looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Grandpa, you don't understand me!" In that moment, I realized that maintaining a strong relationship with the next generation requires more than just love and care—it demands effort, understanding, and mutual respect.

As a guardian, I've learned that building and maintaining a healthy relationship with children, whether they're your own, grandchildren, or those you meet in your community, is a lifelong journey. Here are some strategies that have helped me foster a lifelong connection with my grandson and can be applied to any child:

Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is the foundation of any strong relationship. When my grandson comes home from school, I make sure to give him my undivided attention, putting away my phone and other…