Be genuinely interested in what your child has to say. As a busy working parent, you're multitasking through your entire life. It's very easy to half listen to your kids with the periodic, “uh-huh,” “cool,” “yep,” without totally being present. Even if it's just telling you what they did in school that day or what homework they have for tonight, look eye to eye. Listen to what they're saying. Repeat back what they've said so they know that you get it. Again, that's a big part of the emotional connection piece, “She hears me. She understands me. She's really listening to what I'm saying.”