It seems that moms just know what to do. They are the ones that not only typically nail the motherhood role but who are also the ones that children bond with more. You shouldn’t worry though – moms have had an extra nine months of bonding with your daughter than you have. Instead, you need to find better and more meaningful ways to bond with your daughter, on a one-on-one basis. Family time is great, but if you want an independent relationship with your daughter, you need to bond with her and her alone. If you have more than one child, this simply means divvying your time up for certain activities or sharing the experience. If you are at a loss as to what kind of activity you can bond over, check out these ten great ideas:
- Read Together
Reading together is something you can do from the moment they are born. Of course, the reading together part won’t come till later, but simply reading to your daughter is a great way to spend time with her. Once she’s grown up and can read on her own, take turns. Not only is this a great way to spend quality time together, but it’s also how you can read more, nurture a love of reading in her, and a great way to keep talking throughout the week. Reading together is a great option whether you are away at work often or are consistently at home.
Recommended: One-on-One
- Watch Shows (But not Binging them)
Netflix and other streaming services have made it possible to binge watch television shows in one sitting, but if you want to better bond with your daughter, you won’t binge it with her. Have a show that you two love to watch and spread it out. This could be one episode a day, an episode a week, or so on. That way you can enjoy the episode and talk about it and discuss it at length afterwards.
Recommended: One-on-One or Family
- Have Movie Nights
This might seem like a similar point to the previous one, but what makes movie nights different is the effort you put in. Popcorn, thick blankets, and a great movie that you’ve grown up loving are a great way to share an experience with your daughter. You could even make it tradition to have a pizza for dinner. The best part is that since you have seen these movies before you can talk together while you are watching it, and discuss it afterwards over food.
Recommended: Family
- Cook Together
Everyone should know how to cook (including you), and cooking together is a great way to bond. That’s why you should start cooking with your whole family. Try out different recipes, put an emphasis on healthy eating, and so on. The healthier your meals, the better your children will able to take care of themselves as they get older.
Recommended: Family
- Build Something Together
From furniture to a science or craft project, building something together is a great way to bond. That’s because it challenges the mind and the body, and as soon as you challenge yourself in this way you share a special experience with the person that you are doing it with. It’s a great way to teach your daughter, spend time with her, and to create something that you can reminisce on for years to come.
Recommended: One-on-One
- Go on Hikes
Chances are, there are great hiking opportunities near you. This could be through a local, state, or national park. Hiking is a great physical activity that encourages you to talk to each other, rather than spend time on gadgets. It is also how you can enjoy the sights of nature. Whether you are going one-on-one, or with the whole family, remember to bring lots of water, some snacks, and perhaps a camera.
Recommended: One-on-One or Family
- Camping
Whether you go to a campsite or camp along a trail, the time spent in close quarters is time to bond. The further away you are from civilization, the less likely you’ll be within cell signal. You can download movies to a tablet, or go old-school and bring a deck of cards and a few books. The only thing you need to remember is that not everyone enjoys camping, and if they do there is a difference between camping out at a designated campsite and being alone in the woods. Work your way up and bring those who enjoy the experience.
Recommended: One-on-One or Family
- Play a Sport Together
Being active is important, though sports aren’t for everyone. If your daughter is interested in sport, practice and play with her. It’s a great way to stay fit and bond.
Recommended: One-on-One
- Interactive Games
There are so many possibilities today. You can do things you’d never expect. One of the most fun examples is a Mystery Murder Subscription. It’s the best parts of reading and an activity combined, where you and your daughter can work to solve a mystery together.
Recommended: One-on-One
- Travel
Travel is the combination of many fun bonding activities and being in a new place. While younger families should aim to travel together, as your children become adults you can find it incredibly rewarding to go on one-on-one trips. That way you can learn who your daughter is as an adult, what she likes, what’s happening in her life, and more. This is particularly important if you don’t stay in touch as often as you’d like.
Recommended: One-on-One or Family
Once you’ve tried out these ideas narrow these activities down to the few that you and your daughter really enjoy doing. That way you can spend quality time together doing what you both love, instead of doing what only one of you loves to do. If you have more than one child who loves doing an activity, bring them together. The only thing that you need to consider is ensuring that each child feels like they have a strong relationship with you on their own terms. Do this consistently, and you’ll build an unbreakable bond that will carry on throughout your lives.
Great ideas! There are definitely some challenges that go along with being a girl dad, but very rewarding. I don’t think any of us would trade it for the world. Keep up the good work!!
Thanks for reading and you are right, being a dad of daughters is very rewarding and challenging too! Hope you come back in the future!