You can do everything else in all the other articles but if

you don’t do the following to build relationships within your

family, whatever else you do won’t matter.

Have you ever noticed that when one person gives you a

suggestion or says something, you get really upset or

irritated? And when someone else says the exact same

thing it doesn’t bother you at all? The difference is

probably the quality of your relationship with that person.

In Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families, Covey talks

about building a relationship with your child and family by

adding emotional deposits to his bank account. There will

be times when a mother or father make poor decisions

and make withdrawals, but it won’t be as hurtful to the

relationship/ emotional bank if there are enough positive

deposits.

Examples of Deposits ( the first three deposits are from

Covey’s book):

• Say your sorry.

• Be loyal to those not present.

• Follow through on your promises.

• Listen to your child.

• Empathize with your child’s frustrations.

• Play with your child on their terms.For example, if they want to jump off the bed into pillows, do it 
• with them.

• Model honesty, integrity, humility.

Making these types of deposits will enhance the

relationship with your child and make everything else

related to parenting much easier.