I love having twin girls. From the day they were born they have been my best friends and the light of my life. They are always making me laugh and doing things that show me just how wonderful they are. At this point in their lives I am still pretty cool. They like hanging out with me and take interest in things I like. However, I know that there will come a day when they might not look at me as being such a cool person and in-fact might find me to be a bit nuts and embarrassing. So I was thinking about what I can do to keep the bond we have now strong. My mom is my best friend and I cannot imagine a day without her; but that was not always the case.
In an effort to find new ways to keep the lines of communication open with my girls and also strengthen the relationship we already have I went to one of my favorite websites, www.daughters.com. Here are some of the way other mom’s help to create a bond with their daughters.
Start a weekly ritual: Ritual time is important to staying connected as parent and daughter. Whether it’s sharing ice cream together, walking after dinner, or playing a board game, reliable rituals help our young daughters thrive. All too quickly, our time with them our time with them shrinks with their adulthood. However you can do it, scoop out a little time for just the two of you.
Make face time: I remember when I was in school and my mom would surprise me, by showing up at my school (unannounced) and she would take me out to lunch. It made me feel so special, more than she will ever know. I have found that when I have done this with my girls they absolutely love it. We all have busy schedules now days and children know that, so when we go out of our way to do something special for them, they don’t forget it… even when they are 31.
Write it out: Words of love and encouragement are priceless and can do wonders for one’s self esteem. Just as adults appreciate and value notes of praise, so do kids. My mom used to leave notes on a napkin she would put in my lunch. There were a few times it was a bit embarrassing, but it really made my day. Hallmark always has great cards or notes that you can buy and randomly leave notes of encouragement and love.
Start a Parent-Child Journal: I love this idea. It's easy to get the ball rolling on a parent-child journal. Find a notebook, attach a pen, and then write a question to start the conversation. Ask about school, friends, books, or anything else that interests your child. Ask open-ended questions, like "Tell me about the best book you've read in fourth grade." This will help you get more in-depth responses, as well as having even more to write about the next time you share journal entries.
Have a date night: My kids love this one and so do I. To create your own date night, ask your child what type of activity they enjoy. Maybe you both love Japanese food and want to try out the new sushi restaurant in town. Maybe you're movie buffs; go see a movie of their choosing. The object of your evening is to get out of the house and do something together you will both enjoy and can talk about in the years to come.
In an effort to find new ways to keep the lines of communication open with my girls and also strengthen the relationship we already have I went to one of my favorite websites, www.daughters.com. Here are some of the way other mom’s help to create a bond with their daughters.
Start a weekly ritual: Ritual time is important to staying connected as parent and daughter. Whether it’s sharing ice cream together, walking after dinner, or playing a board game, reliable rituals help our young daughters thrive. All too quickly, our time with them our time with them shrinks with their adulthood. However you can do it, scoop out a little time for just the two of you.
Make face time: I remember when I was in school and my mom would surprise me, by showing up at my school (unannounced) and she would take me out to lunch. It made me feel so special, more than she will ever know. I have found that when I have done this with my girls they absolutely love it. We all have busy schedules now days and children know that, so when we go out of our way to do something special for them, they don’t forget it… even when they are 31.
Write it out: Words of love and encouragement are priceless and can do wonders for one’s self esteem. Just as adults appreciate and value notes of praise, so do kids. My mom used to leave notes on a napkin she would put in my lunch. There were a few times it was a bit embarrassing, but it really made my day. Hallmark always has great cards or notes that you can buy and randomly leave notes of encouragement and love.
Start a Parent-Child Journal: I love this idea. It's easy to get the ball rolling on a parent-child journal. Find a notebook, attach a pen, and then write a question to start the conversation. Ask about school, friends, books, or anything else that interests your child. Ask open-ended questions, like "Tell me about the best book you've read in fourth grade." This will help you get more in-depth responses, as well as having even more to write about the next time you share journal entries.
Have a date night: My kids love this one and so do I. To create your own date night, ask your child what type of activity they enjoy. Maybe you both love Japanese food and want to try out the new sushi restaurant in town. Maybe you're movie buffs; go see a movie of their choosing. The object of your evening is to get out of the house and do something together you will both enjoy and can talk about in the years to come.
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