Ways to Bond and Build Confidence

[HeatherNYC]

My daughter and I just returned from visiting my parents sans my husband (who couldn't get away from work stuff), which was a blast. You would think it would be a tad stressful traveling, but it was actually a primo experience, full of bonding time. We had to tap into our Mama-Kiddo teamwork with juggling bags, both of us helped each other stay patient while waiting in long security lines, we chatted about what we saw all around.

Spending time together, doing an activity is a great way to bond and build that foundation of communication, as well as boost her confidence. That special time also teaches her that happiness isn't something we can touch and doesn't come from a thing you buy, it is something you experience. Now, since we aren't jetting off every other week, I was thinking of ways that she and I can bond and keep that self-esteem growing on a more regular basis.

Learn something - Whether it's knitting or studying all of the constellations or learning a new language or work your way through a cool cookbook, something you can both start off at the same point and discover together is a prime way to bond as well as build inner self-worth. Hint: if you are learning something together and she says "I can do it, Mom!," let her! Making mistakes and fixing them and getting it right the next time is a huge confidence builder.

Start a reading club - Read the same book. This is a great idea for those of you with older girls, even off at college or out of the house.

Create playlists for each other - If she's really into her music, find common ground by having her make a playlist for you and you make one for her. Share your favorites from when you were her age. This can spark some great conversations.

Get moving together - Take a yoga class every Saturday morning or go for a speed walk Sunday afternoons or make up your own backyard exercise game you do together. Getting an adrenaline rush, racing her, boosting that heartbeat up, all of it is a good way to bond.

Have ritual nighttime talk - Whether it's a few questions each of you answer (odd thought you had that day, what made you feel happy during the day, or the like) or whether it is just 15 minutes you chill on her bed and just listen to what she has to share, connect every day at the same time.

Do you and your daughter share a hobby? What is a special way you connect and bond?

©iStockphoto.com/ AVAVA 

[dusky_rose]

My youngest dd and I like to play games on the Wii for exercise so I got her a Wii Fit and a balance board. It gives us stuff to talk about when I call there every week (she lives with her dad). She is also very creative and artistic like me. The other day she was asking me for advice about water color painting (something I used to do when I was younger).

[Bmat]

My granddaughters and I play games together and read together.

[Charizma77]

We both like collecting rocks and sea shells

[MamaBear2cubs]

Not really yet but I look forward to the day we can share common interests!

[elasmimi]

Mine is only 5, but we do a lot of things together. I love to read, and she loves being read to. She is just learning some sight words, and is so excited. She also loves "teaching " me things on the computer.

[TheBabyFactory4]

We sing together and I am teaching her music. We do art projects together

[TheBabyFactory4]

My oldest DD has an iPod and we have fun playing words with friends and draw something. So even if we aren't nearby we are still doing something together. So as long as she has a wifi we can play.

[kurtkamkaitsmom]

My daughter loves to be out doors... and play games on the wii and such .. So we always have play dates...