Many parents are familiar with the feeling that they simply don’t have enough time to give their children the attention they need. With so many commitments and day-to-day distractions, you’re not alone in wondering how you can give your child quality bonding time.
What is bonding?
Bonding is described as the “intense attachment that develops between parents and their baby.” It’s the unique relationship that a child and parent will share and nurture throughout their lives.
The importance of bonding with kids
Parents will probably have heard the phrase “parent child bonding” since they discovered they were expecting. However
quality time with your child
is not only important for newborns.
Bonding with your child
through all phases of their development has many wonderful benefits.
● Parent child bonding lays the foundation for their personality as well as physical, mental and emotional development
● Helps children establish a secure and healthy parental attachment
● Children that have a close and secure connection with their parents stand a better chance of developing other happy and healthy relationships
● A tight bond helps with a child’s confidence and social behaviours
● A positive parental relationship also helps children develop better cognitive and problem-solving skills
● Overall contentment in the family environment.
Ways to bond with your child:
You needn’t set aside endless hours to bond with your child. There are plenty of day-to-day opportunities for connection that both moms and dads can take advantage of.
1. Eat meals together
Sitting together as a family to eat your breakfast or dinner is a great way to reconnect and check in with your child. As an added advantage, it also instills healthy eating and digestive habits.
2. Chat in the car to and from school
While teens might not be so chatty in the car, it’s a great chance to engage with your younger children. Singing songs, asking about school work or extracurriculars or even a simple round of “eye spy” can create a wonderful connection.
3. Be warm in your daily interactions
Children respond well to a loving touch, hug or cuddle. Making sure that you give your child warm and gentle interaction creates a strong sense of bond between you. Eye contact, positive reinforcement and kind words are also important for your child to develop a sense of security.
4. Bond with your children individually
Spending a little one-on-one time with each of your children can strengthen your individual bond. Aim to set aside even ten minutes of distraction-free time to spend with each child. This could be a short walk, a bedtime story or personalised interest in their sports or hobbies.
5. Begin a project together
Start something that you and your child can work on together, even if just for a few minutes a day. The sense of continual connectedness that children feel when working together with a parent on a task, makes them feel needed and bonded. This could be a painting, a veggie garden or an arts-and-crafts project.
The positive effects your child will feel from just 10 minutes a day of attentive time are far reaching. What’s your favourite way to spend quality time with your child?
