5 tips on how parents can strengthen their relationship with their child

• Parents should take a genuine interest in their child's world. Does your daughter love Barbie dolls or computer games? But you can't do anything with them? Never mind, because it's not about Barbies or games in the first place, but about taking an interest in your child. You could ask your child: What do you think is so great about it? How can you play with it?

• Parents should talk to their children, no matter what. It's also important to stay in dialogue with teenagers! This often works better when travelling, on foot or in the car, side by side rather than head-on.

• Parents should always look at their child openly and positively. Children pay attention to facial expressions and gestures. So: wink and thumbs up. Physical contact as much as the child wants and as much as is right for you as parents.

• Parents should spend valuable time with their children. This means that I am there for my child when they need me. This is still very often the case with a baby - and diminishes with age. Many schoolchildren are already quite independent, but when they need their parents, they come and they should be there. The younger, the quicker; an older child can sometimes wait.
• Parents should not just be present, they should be present, with their attention on the child. So: watch what your child is doing in the playground and don't constantly stare at your mobile phone.