Building a strong relationship with your sons is of the utmost importance if you want them to grow up feeling loved and supported, if you want them to feel able to come to your with any and all of their problems, and if you want then to grow into the amazing young men you know they can be.
If you’re a mom of boys and you’re worried about bonding with them in ways that will really solidify your relationship and ensure the kind of closeness you would like, here are some good ideas:
Have ‘Unplugged’ Nights
At least once a week, enforce a strict ‘no tech’ rule for YOU and the kids. Why? Because technology is increasingly becoming a distraction that keeps us apart, each looking at separate screens when we should be doing stuff together. Use this time to talk about your days, play board games the old-fashioned way, go for walks and generally just enjoy each other’s company.
Take an Interest in Their Interests
You might think that baseball is the most boring subject on the planet or that soccer is silly, but if your boys are mad about the sports, for example; if they’re always attending baseball and soccer camps, joining the local teams and playing for the school, then get onboard. Learn enough about the games so that you know what’s going on and you can talk to them about their passions, Attend their games and cheer them on. It’ll let them know that they’re loved and supported and it’ll give you something to bond over when you’re struggling.
Let Them Teach You
In a similar vein, allowing your children to teach you about the things they love, whether it be baseball, Minecraft or drawing, instead of always being the one to teach them things is a great way to bond and develop a good relationship.
Read Together
This is good for those of you with younger kids, although if your teens enjoy it then, there’s no reason to stop! Getting lost in a book, whether it be Harry Potter, Holes or Diary of a Wimpy Kid will get the two of you talking about your favorite characters, what’s going to happen next, what you do and don’t like about the plot – it doesn’t matter as long as you’re talking and enjoying your time together!
Go Hiking and Fishing
Spending time in nature, where there are no Xboxes and you can just be with your children is an excellent way of getting to know them. If you can get them into fishing or hiking by starting them young, then you’ll always have a way of connecting with them – just pack the car and head out into the wild when you want to spend some quality time together.
Just Talk
Just taking the time, whether it’s a few minutes or a few hours, to let your child talk to you and really listen to what they have to say is one of the best ways to build strong bonds with them. So many parents don’t really listen or even give their kids the opportunity to open up, and it leads to all kinds of problems that could easily be avoided with a decent conversation that you need to make it absolutely clear that your kids can talk to you and you will pay attention to them.
Have fun bonding with your boys!
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