Readers Respond: Best Activities for Maintaining the Bond With Your Kids

Responses: 4

Initially, you bond with your kids when they are infants. However, it's also important to maintain that bond throughout their childhood--and beyond.

You do this already, without even thinking about it, every time you listen to your kids, play with them, or simply allow your actions to demonstrate the unconditional love you have for them.

When you feel like your parent-child relationship needs a quick boost, though, what activities work best for you to renew that critical bond you share with your kids? Take a moment to share your best strategies and activities with our readers.

Share Your Bonding Tips

Every night over dinner we each share something that was good about our day. We also name something that we're thankful for, and we make a point on a regular basis to tell each other what we love about each other.

—Guest Terry O.

We Read Together

The other night, my 10-year-old asked me to read a book out loud with him, taking turns with each chapter. Of course I had other things to do at the time, but I stopped what I was doing to lay down and read with him. I mean, how much longer is he going to want to do this kind of stuff with together, right? Before I know it, he'll probably be off with his friends, not wanting anything to do with me. LOL... So I try to take full advantage any time he initiates doing something like this together.

—Guest J.J.

Private Moments

I have three kids, and I like to try to take little private moments with each of them as often as possible. Sometimes it might be as mundane as taking only one along to the grocery store, when we can shop and talk without interruption. Other times it might be something a little more special. Yesterday, for instance, I slipped a little gift into my oldest's pocket when I picked her up from school. She'd been having a rough time and needed a little pick-me-up.

—LaureenBrunelli

Best Activities for Maintaining the Bond

My suggestion is to give quality time to the kids and listen to them with your heart. Become like them. Get on their level and play along with them the games they play. Teach them the way they should go, and when they are grown up they will not forget it (Proverbs 22:6).

—Guest Wayengera Godfrey