Although the media may have us believe otherwise, not all parents find it easy to bond with their children. This might just be a natural feeling, but it could also be through fear or inexperience, or perhaps just because their lives are busy and it’s hard to find the time. If you feel that your bond should be strengthened, here are some ways to get started.
Say I Love You
This is perhaps the simplest yet one of the most effective ways of having a great bond with your children – tell them that you love them as much as you can. It shouldn’t matter what gender or how old they are, you should tell them that you love them every day. This allows them to know that you love them unconditionally, and that you’ll always be there for them. Even when they are going through difficult times, hearing that their parent loves them can be enough to make them feel so much better. This is what is known as a cornerstone of attachment parenting.
Play With Them
Playing isn’t just a useful developmental tool for children; it’s also the ideal way to bond with them. Get down on the floor so you’re at their level and just enjoy the playtime whether it’s with dolls, board games, cars, or just playing make believe. Allow your children to see that you can be playful and silly and far from losing respect for you, you’ll find that their bond with you increases in strength.
Have Bedtime Rituals
Bedtime rituals are lovely ways to encourage bonding. These are the special kinds of memories that will stay with a child for a lifetime, and all it takes is 10 minutes to read a chapter of a book together, or make up a silly story, or say your prayers. Come up with a special way of saying goodnight that you do each evening, and this ritual will help your child go off to sleep happily and contentedly.
Have One On One Time
Whether you have one child or many, taking the time to be with them is important. It’s even better if you can schedule one on one time, so that each child gets your undivided attention. Because everyone is different, you may do different things with each child. One may like to check out captainhunter.com and go out into the woods to hunt, another may prefer a trip to the theater, or perhaps they want to learn how to ride a bike and they want you to teach them. Whatever it is, this one on one time is precious and you should really focus on it rather than being distracted by anything else that is going on in your life.
Eat Together
Eating together is a hugely important thing to do that offers an excellent way to bond with your children. When you’re all eating together around the table with no distractions such as TV or electronic devices, you can really talk and listen to one another. Discuss your day and enjoy one another’s successes. If there are problems, this is the time to air them and to work out solutions.
When I was a kid, I have bedtime rituals with my mom. She always read Bible Stories before I sleep. It stopped when she needs to work overseas. Now that I am a mom, I make sure that I’m giving quality time to my only son and I agree with all your tips here.