D A D B L O G S
A dad blog by a geek dad with two geeky kids.
Good dad-child connections don't spring out of nowhere. Biology gives us a headstart -- if we weren't biologically programmed to love our infants the human race would have died out long ago. But as kids get older we need to build on that natural bond, or the challenges of modern life will take them away from us. Be your child's friend. Your toddler is at the age where he wants to hang out with you every second of the day, so take advantage of that by enjoying every minute together, like driving in the car or watching ducks at the park. If he starts acting goofy, get goofy with him, and invite him to do activities that you enjoy by giving him kid-safe tasks in the kitchen or garden. Show your silly side. Invent silly songs, dance when you hear music (and even when you don't), try on a funny hat while you're shopping, and be spontaneous. Kids don't expect grown ups to have a sense of humor, so when we let loose, they connect with us more. Find the fishing hole. A leisurely day of fishing or hunting can be a great way to unwind together without so many parent-child issues pressing in. So pack a cooler with lunch and go enjoy the outdoors together. Touch. Touch your kids often, with hugs and gentle strokes and rubs. Even if you are disciplining your toddler, hold his hand while you tell him not to hit or that he needs to stop whining. If your child isn't a cuddler, find other ways to connect, like rustling his hair, dancing together, or even roughhousing a bit. Read. Reading time is a great way to get the ball rolling on conversation and to start asking each other questions. Adapt special voices for characters when you're reading, re-read favorites, and include your child's name in the story. Take a long walk together. During the long days of summer, take advantage of the extra daylight by taking walks together after dinner. It doesn’t have to be a power walk or even really about fitness. Just make it a chance to explore the neighborhood together, talk about your day, and maybe give the dog a little exercise. Comments are closed.
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Hey there. My name is Jim. I'm a dad & I know some dad stuff & I like to write about them here. More about me.
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