As your child grows and develops, your role as a parent typically changes as well, which can contribute to some confusion and possible friction in the relationship. You may notice that your parenting style feels different than it used to or that the strategies you utilized successfully in the past are no longer helpful. You may find yourself getting frustrated, short, or less patient in your relationship. During these developmental transitions, changes in your child’s role or your role in the family may also shift, creating tension, discomfort, and making communication more challenging.

In addition to normal growth, change, and development, the demands of everyday life in New York City, may make it challenging to focus on improving your relationship with your child. As you experience difficult events in your life or if your child is struggling in theirs, it may be more difficult to communicate effectively or to tolerate the inevitable distress that is a necessary part of parenting a child. It is important to receive support and to utilize effective parenting strategies to help your child learn to be as effective as possible during these formative years.