Bonding with your child can become strained as they start to grow up and want to become more involved with their friends. This doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines and let them continue alone. We have some tips on bonding activities for you and your child.
Play Games
When your child is playing a game, ask them to explain what it is and if you can join or encourage that you all play a game together as a family. If your child sees you interacting in activities they enjoy, they’ll see you as a peer as well as a parent.
Our games section provides activities you can play with your child – see here.
Cooking
Cooking with your child is a great way to increase your bond. If you focus on simple and fun recipes that your child can really get their fingers dirty with, it might soon become a weekly ritual. Your child will enjoy creating something with you and you can both enjoy eating the results! Our favourite Nunu recipes are milkshake, milkbar and chocolate pancake recipes.
Reading
Reading books with your child not only improves their brain development but also your relationship as a family. It is an activity that everyone can get involved with; allow your child to turn the page for you and if they can read a page of the story with you. Try to incorporate actions into your storytelling that they can copy as you read.
Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are creative and messy activities that can increase your bond with your child. Activities like finger painting are always fun with your children, they enjoy that they are allowed to get messy without being told off for once! Also, if you choose something neither of you can do, it’s a great activity you can learn together.
Discipline but don’t shout
This is a tip we recommend parents try to remember as their children grow up: discipline but don’t shout. If your child has done wrong, avoid getting angry and shouting at them as it will push them further away from you. They’ll understand if you try to explain what they have done wrong, why it was wrong and what they should do in future. It will be very hard to control your anger sometimes but your child will learn from their mistakes better if it is explained to them in a calm manner. They’ll also be more likely to come to you for advice or tell you about their problems later on in life if you take the calm approach to discipline.