Connecting Emotionally Opens Other Doors Too

One reason connecting emotionally is so important is that the heart is also a person's spiritual center; that's why God chooses to live there. It's also where we can impact our kids spiritually. When you connect with your children on an emotional level, they're more willing to listen to spiritual truth and less resistant to your leadership.

When children are asked who they talk to when they're upset, answers very greatly. Some children talk to their friends, their parents, other family members, youth leaders, or teachers. And some children don't feel comfortable talking about their problems with anyone. Most children lack emotional coordination and are awkward about their feelings. It takes a patient parent to work with a child who's inexperienced in the emotional department. These kids need a parent willing to draw them out and pursue greater understanding.

In 1 Peter 1:22, Peter told believers how they can have closer relationships: "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." That's a helpful command for parents, too We tend to want to keep things moving and keep our day organized and on track. Parents must continually evaluate their choices and decide what issues are most important in family life. As you make those tough trade-offs, be careful not to minimize the value of time well spend on relationship with your kids. Conecting emotionally takes time, but the reward of closer family relationships is great.