One way to help children belong is to focus on building positive relationships with them. Strong positive relationships can go a long way toward helping children learn to cooperate and be responsible. Four ingredients of strong relationships are:
Showing respect
Having fun
Giving encouragement
Showing love
Parents often complain that their children do not respect them. Yet many times, adults show children a lack of respect by nagging, yelling, hitting or talking down. They will do things for their children that they can do for themselves and at times will follow a double standard. Doing too much for children teaches dependency, not self reliance. In a democratic family, no one is considered more or less important than anyone else. You show respect when you treat your child like an equal. This does not mean that you are not in charge; it is your job to guide your child, however, you can do it respectfully.