5 ways to strengthen your parent-child bond
In this day and age, it is hard to stay present. Our phones, emails, texts, and careers keep us stimulated at all times. It is difficult to slow down, take a breath, and make time for ourselves, much less our children, but we have to.
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Quality time with each other is no longer a natural occurrence. It is a planned and timed event; It is something we have to fit into our schedules. Parenting, arguably one of the most rewarding jobs we have, is also one of the most difficult. How do we find the time in our frenzied schedules to make our children feel loved, appreciated, and special? Here are 5 simple tips to strengthen your bond with your child.
Touch
It can be easy to get carried away in the day-to-day grind of life. A hug can work in the morning, at night, or anywhere in between. It is an act of affection to welcome your child into the day; It lets them know you are grateful and appreciative of their presence; It is a quick, simple gesture to let them know… I am here. I am with you. I love you. For those with pre-teens and teenagers who are particularly conscious of their personal space, a touch on the shoulder as you walk by or a pat on the back allows you to let them know you see them and are available to them.
Date night
Carve out time for your children, separately. Laugh with them. Laughter should be a daily priority and habit in your home. Allow them to show you what they love and enjoy doing. Let go of control and challenge them to plan a night with you. Maybe that means dinner and a movie, or maybe they want to go to a sporting event. Regardless of the activity, you are spending valued time with your child.
Disconnect
According to Laura Markham at psychologytoday.com, “your child will remember for the rest of her life that she was important enough to her parents that they turned off their phone to listen to her.” Make eye contact with your child, not your phone, and connect. Be interested in your child’s life. What happened at school? How are their friends doing? There is a difference between being nosy and bombarding them with questions, and being genuinely interested when they are speaking to you.
Plan an activity to remember
If your family is young and growing, do something fun and memorable not only for yourself, but the entire family. LDT Photography specializes in creating tangible memories and artwork that your family can enjoy for years to come! They also specialize in printed images, wall art, and custom products. With their cozy loft studio, located in historic downtown Belleville, IL (just 15 miles from St. Louis), you can relax and enjoy watching your new baby and children being captured in beautiful, timeless styles. If you aren’t interested in travelling, they also photograph families outdoors on location in the St. Louis and metro east areas. The owner, Lindsey Tyler, encourages interested families to first come to the studio to meet her, ask questions, see the products/packages offered, and discuss expectations to see if you are a good fit for each other. This pre-consult meeting is completely free of charge. Let LDT help you strengthen that bond, while creating memories in the process.
Show your Pride
By having those photos custom printed, you are able to show your pride for your children in a tangible way. David Krauss, a licensed psychologist from Cleveland, Ohio says, “I think it is really important to show a family as a family unit. It is so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit.” Displaying their photos prominently on the walls in your home sends them the message that you are proud of who they are, therefore boosting their self-esteem and making them feel loved and apart of the family unit.
This post was created by St. Louis Magazine partner studio on behalf of LDT Photography. To schedule a complimentary consultation please visit their website.
