8 Ways To Improve Mother-Daughter Relationships

The relationship between a mother and a daughter is very complex; some mothers and daughters are good friends and can talk about everything, while others may have conflicts. Whatever the mother-daughter relationship, this relationship can be improved to communicate and connect better and avoid clashes.

Ways to improve mother-daughter relationships:

1) There could be various conflicts between the mother and daughter; it is best for one person to make the move first towards building up a congenial relationship or resolving the conflict. Waiting for the other person to make the first move would only leave the relationship stuck; it would greatly help if both the mother and daughter think how they feel in the relationship and then take steps to bring about a change.

2) It is wrong both for mothers and daughters to think that the relationship can improve only if the other changes; we all have the ability to change our reactions and responses. Once we change the other person would also definitely think of making changes. 

3) It is imperative for both daughters and mothers to have realistic expectations from each other; one would only end up in disappointment if they had idealistic expectations in the relationship. This expectation is mostly set by mothers when their daughters are young, but with time things change and it may not be the same always.

4) A common challenge for most mothers and daughters is lack of communication; it is difficult to know how the other feels. With lack of communication daughters and mothers behave rude with each other leaving hurt feelings that linger on with time. It would help to communicate ones feelings in a clear and calm way.   

5) Improving on mother-daughter relationship also means forgetting or forgiving the past and focusing on the present to resolve present conflicts and build present happiness.

6) One of the most important ingredients to improve mother-daughter relationship is to be an active listener; when a daughter and mother reflect back on what the other says she communicates the important message that the other is heard and understood. Being an active listener also helps to understand the message being told properly.

7) Great relationships between mothers and daughters are built on empathy; both daughters and mothers need to put themselves into the other’s shoe. It would help if a daughter thought of her mother as a woman in her own right with her wounds and hurts as she was born and raised in a different generation with different values and other issues. Similarly be empathic and offer compromise if you cannot satisfy the wishes of your mother; it would be best to offer to meet her the next week instead of being blunt and saying you have no time.

8) Lastly both mothers and daughters need to learn to forgive; it is not reconciliation, nor is it condoning, pardoning or minimizing the impact, but is the key to wellbeing. It not only helps repair damages made in the relationship, but also the builds power of forgiveness for the person who forgives.  

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