3 Ways to Form a Deep Bond With Your Child

Forming a deep bond with your child is one of parenting’s greatest pleasures. At first, you’ll intuitively learn the difference between your baby’s gurgles and cries. Then, as your child grows up, a deep bond can help you give them advice and fulfill their needs.

However, forming a deep bond doesn’t just happen by chance. It takes a lot of work on your end — sometimes with little reward. But being there for your child through thick and thin is vital to ensure that your child feels loved and supported.

So, here are three ways to help you form a deep bond with your child.

Read Together

Parents have been reading to their children for generations — and for good reason. Reading together is a vital part of children’s development and can deepen your bond while preparing your child for academic success.

Start by setting a clear reading schedule that works for you both. Bedtime is usually the best time to read, as your child will be relaxed, but there’s nothing wrong with an afternoon reading session if that suits your schedule better.

Be sure to read books that are age-appropriate and share your values. Age-appropriate books will help children grow their vocabulary, and value-based books give you a chance to teach your child about the world. Allow your child to stop you when they have questions, and feel free to put the book aside if you want to talk about a topic in more depth. Responding to your child’s questions can strengthen your bond and help foster better communication habits.

Talk Often

Some children love to make noise while others seem to revel in silence. Regardless of your child’s decibel level, you should talk often with your child to promote good communication habits and teach conversational skills. Talking with your child also helps you learn more about them and their personality, which deepens your bond and helps you better understand things like non-verbal communication.

One of the best places to speak with your child is at the dinner table. You can support family dinner conversations by preparing your meal together and giving your child age-appropriate tasks like weighing and mixing. You can also promote conversation by giving your child the right seating so they feel comfortable and aren’t engulfed by a chair that’s far too large for them.

When talking with your child, try to ask them questions. Usually, children are like question-machines, and will ask you anything from “why is the sky blue?”, to “where do babies come from?”. While you should always do your best to answer, try to ask them questions, too, as this will show them that you value their opinion and help them become more independent thinkers.

Support Their Independence

Most children think they want to be more independent . . . until dinner time comes around or something stressful happens. However, as a parent, you can deepen your bond with your child by supporting their natural inclination to become more independent as they age.

One way to support your child’s independence from an early age is to create a playroom for them. Playrooms give your child a safe space to be themselves and play independently. You can even create multi-age playrooms if you have more than one child and should give your children games that are age-appropriate and promote problem-solving.

You can also support your child’s independence by teaching them skills like swimming. Learning to swim is important for all children, and getting in the water together is a great way to build trust. Start by teaching your child how to float and always remain present to help calm their nerves when in the water. Be patient and teach your child one technique at a time — they’ll love to learn from you and will gain vital life skills at the same time.

Supporting your child’s independence can help build confidence and deepen your bond with them. This is important, as self-confidence and strong parental bonds are tied to academic success in young children. So, the next time you’re struggling to think of a fun activity, consider teaching your child a new skill like swimming or giving them room for independent play.  

Conclusion

Forming a deep bond with your child takes plenty of effort and lots of love. You can start early by reading together and speaking openly about your family’s values and the world around you. As your child ages, try to support their natural desire to become independent by creating playrooms and giving them vital life skills — just make sure you’re always close by so they feel safe and supported.