04/26/2025
As parenting author and expert Dr. Dan Siegel says, “Connect, THEN redirect.” It makes all the difference to our children and their growth!
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Correction is part of parenting. But when a child doesn’t feel connected to you, correction can feel like rejection. When connection is built before correction is ever needed, it makes those harder moments easier to navigate.
That’s why connection needs to happen long before correction ever does.
Build it in the calm, everyday moments:
✔️ Ask to join them in their play—before they even invite you.
✔️ Sit beside them while they color and say, “Tell me about this one.”
✔️ Make eye contact and smile when they walk in the room.
✔️ Share a laugh, a snack, or a story—even for just 5 minutes.
These small choices tell your child: “You matter to me—even when nothing’s wrong.”
Then, when something does go wrong:
✔️ Sit down at their level and say, “I’m here to help you through this.”
✔️ Ask, “Can you tell me what happened?”
✔️ Remind them, “You’re not in trouble. You’re learning. I’ll walk with you through it.”
Because when your child feels secure in your presence, they can handle your correction without feeling rejected.
Connection isn’t a reward for good behavior. It’s the foundation that makes growth possible.
