Bonding with your child to share values that will help them navigate their future can be one of the most overlooked aspects of creating a legacy. It is these small steps of bonding that can leave a lasting impact long after you have died. Here are some healthy ways to bond with your child.

Monkey see, monkey do

Talking the talk does not impact us as much as seeing someone walk the talk. The same goes for your child. Having shared values as a family is more likely to help shape their sense of a positive identity and also help them towards continuing healthy habits that can protect your family legacy.

But where do you start? Have core values that you wish to share with your child and focus on practicing these to help reinforce these values. Remember that family legacies work better when there is room for both parents and children to share and create. It can create a sense of pride and the enthusiasm to play an active part in this legacy.

Knowing when to adapt

Think of values as a compass that influences how we see our world, interact with people and move in the world. Your values affect how you interact with your children and how your child(ren) end up relating to everything around them. Establish the healthy values you want to share with your child but know when to adapt when it comes to sharing these values with your child.

Learning to unlearn

Bonding is all about learning about each other and creating something that you both can sustain. Bonding activities are subtle ways in which both children and parents learn about each other and what matters to them, especially when it comes to sustaining a family legacy.

It also means that there will be a lot of unlearning of old values you may have held onto which will not be beneficial for you and your child. It can be a daunting task when done alone but learning healthy habits you would like to create with your child can help strengthen your bond.

Listening

Listening can be one of the greatest things you can do for your loved ones and yourself. It also forms a crucial foundation for creating meaningful and lasting bonds. Always keep this in mind when it comes to creating values for yourself and your child(ren).

Invite them to be part of it all

Invite your child(ren) to share what they think should be part of the family values to help them play an active part in building and maintaining a healthy identity they can relate to.

You may have the vision of which direction you would like your relationship with your child to go in, but it is crucial to make them part of this journey. Set a pathway of where you would like to go through a mission statement or plan but leave room to adapt when it is needed. Always remember that legacies are built one mistake at a time. The key is to learn and unlearn to keep you moving forward for generations to come.