Encyclopedia

The Dynamics of Parent-Child Relationship

 

For most people, parents are an important and central part of their lives. Through childhood, growing up, and adulthood, it’s safe to say that this complicated relationship between parents and children experiences many challenges and benefits. In order to help guide you through the process, here are five steps of change that affect many parent-child relationships. Although not applicable to all, hopefully, this timeline will help you understand and navigate your way through your relationship with your parents!

 

Number 1: Just Hatched [Aged 0-5]

In this stage, the relationship between parents and child is solely one-sided. The child relies on the parents 100% to take care, feed, love, and help them throughout the day. It is during this stage that the strong bonds between parent and child begin.

 

Number 2: Exploring the Nest [Aged 6-12]

During this stage, children begin to explore more of the world, including making new friends at school, experiencing time without their parents, and solidifying more of their core personalities. Although straying from home, usually, during this stage, children still regard their parents as the highest power and will listen to what they say. Furthermore, parents still have almost complete control over their children.

 

Number 3: Spreading your Wings [Aged 13-17]

This stage is an experimental stage for the child. Now that they have explored much of their own class and school, they begin to become educated in global studies. Around here, they begin to form their own opinions, as most of their core personality traits are solidified, and they may not blindly listen to their parents anymore. This stage also has a lot of conflicts, and not just because the children don’t listen to the rules of the parents, but rather because there are differences in morals, standards, or opinions.

 

Number 4: Taking the Leap [Aged 18-24]

Now that the children have grown up and become adults themselves, this stage is quite possibly the hardest for the parents and the most liberating for the children. It’s the time when children fly off to pursue their own goals, tearfully wishing goodbye to their parents. Some may decide to stay with their parents until university is over, or some may choose to leave straight away. Regardless of which they choose, they know that eventually, they will have to leave their parents.

 

Number 4: Flying Solo [25+]

The last stage is one of acceptance and understanding. Depending on how well the previous four stages went, relationships between parent and child can either be irreparable, tolerable or welcoming. In this stage, the “children” will begin to produce more “children”, furthering the cycle of life.

 

So, those are the five stages of relationships between parents and children! Remember, the numbers are just there for a rough estimate, and every relationship is different! Some people may leave home earlier, some people may not have fought with their parents: this is just a general guide to help you better understand your relationships with your parents! Always remember that, at the end of your day, your parents most likely love you, and despite all the fights and arguments you endure, they will always be there for you. Good luck!