I share a powerful concept that can transform your relationships – bids for connection. These small moments when someone reaches out, whether it’s your partner or your teen, can make all the difference in how we build trust and emotional intimacy. How we respond – whether we turn towards, turn away, or respond unkindly – shapes the quality of our relationships.

I explore how noticing and responding positively to bids can strengthen your connection, whether you’re in a romantic relationship or navigating the ups and downs of parenting teens. Drawing on both my own experience and the research of John and Julie Gottman, you'll learn how these interactions impact your mental health, emotional wellbeing, and the health of your relationships.

Whether you’ve been feeling disconnected in your relationship or want to understand your child better, this episode offers practical tools to help you notice bids for connection and turn towards them with kindness.

Key Takeaways:

1. Bids for Connection: These are everyday actions or signals to establish connection. Learning to respond to them with care strengthens your bond.
2. Turning Towards or Away: How you respond – with attention or indifference – plays a big role in maintaining emotional intimacy.
3. For Couples: Positive responses to bids help you build trust and store up connection for harder times.
4. For Parents: Teens’ bids may seem subtle or negative, but recognising and responding to them is key to strengthening your relationship.

Direct Quotes:

1. "Bids for connection are one of the most powerful parts of a relationship. How we respond can make or break that connection."
2. "We often get caught up in life, and miss those small moments where our loved ones are trying to reach out to us."

Be sure to listen in for more on how to improve your relationships through bids for connection!

Links:

1. Join the Connected Teens
2. Have questions or feedback? Send me an email, and I might cover it in a future episode!

Submit a question to the Podcast

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Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset