There is nothing more important than the bond you have with your children. However, if you are a parent that works full time, or are under a lot of stress, then sometimes the time you spend with your kids might not be the quality time you all need. When you and your children begin to feel distant from one another, it can cause a number of emotional and behavioral issues on both sides. The good news is that even if you are super busy, the relationship you have with your children can be as strong as ever. Here is a guide on how to bond with your children.
Take time to listen
To have a good relationship with your child, you must be a good listener and make them feel truly understood. It might be the case that your child’s interest in a computer game is not something that interests you at all, and when you are busy it is all too easy to dismiss them when they are trying to tell you about something they find cool. However, just spending a few minutes listening to them will make you part of their inner world and strengthen the bond between you.
The worries and fears that children have may also seem insignificant to an adult who has more experience of the world. However, that doesn’t mean they have less of an impact on a child’s emotions. Being a good listener means that you are always there for your child to confide in when they need to, making you a friend as well as a parent.
Share days out
When you have a busy lifestyle, making the time to spend days out doing fun activities is a great way to bond with your children. While you may be working during the week, schedule some time at the weekends that you can just spend with your children. Take them ice skating, go for a bike ride, or go see West End shows for kids, and you will make special memories that will last a lifetime.
Do more together
When you are at home together, that should be the time when you are all relaxed and happy. One way to increase the bond you have with your children is to get them involved in household tasks, and make it fun! Try cooking a meal and letting your child take charge with your supervision, make a game out of folding the laundry, or help them out with a creative school project. Spending time together doing ordinary things is just as good a way to strengthen your bond as any other, as long as you have fun and laughs along the way.
There is nothing quite like the bond you share with your children. If you are worried that you are becoming more distant from them, or that you just don’t understand one another, try not to be disheartened. Show them plenty of love and affection, be a good listener, and make sure you have some quality time together, and your bond will be as strong as ever.