| Work, school, extracurricular activities; these daily | | | | when both parent and child are completely focused |
| activities that make our lives so busy create | | | | on one another and can communicate freely about |
| difficulties for parents to foster a bond with their | | | | the book or other subjects. |
| children. While your children are out of school for the | | | | 7. Teaching your children the importance of |
| summer you can easily strengthen family relationships | | | | volunteerism and giving back by volunteering for a |
| by spending time with one another, listening to each | | | | local charity or organization can show them the |
| other, and respecting each other's opinions. Below are | | | | importance of what they have and make them a |
| ten easy things a parent can do to form stronger | | | | more socially conscience person. |
| bonds with their children this summer. | | | | 8. Getting involved in your children's hobbies, whether |
| 1. Try and eat dinner together with no distractions, | | | | it is collecting baseball cards or horseback riding, |
| such as television or phones. Eating a family meal | | | | shows your support of their chosen activity and |
| together not only promotes better eating habits, but | | | | allows them to feel they can express themselves in |
| also gives family members time to discuss their day | | | | any way. |
| and any good or challenging things happening in their | | | | 9. By encouraging your children to be active and |
| life. | | | | exercising together you foster healthier habits for |
| 2. A great way of having fun while bonding with your | | | | both you and your child while you both communicate |
| family is to create a "Family Night" where the entire | | | | about the activities you are doing. |
| family participates in an activity. This can be as easy | | | | 10. Childhood, especially the adolescent years, is |
| as a board game night, an evening out at a fun | | | | incredibly hard on the self esteem of many children. |
| family restaurant, or to go see a movie. | | | | By telling a child you love them and giving |
| 3. Helping a child with their homework not only allows | | | | compliments or positive feedback frequently you can |
| you to spend time together, but enables you to see | | | | foster their confidence and perception of themselves. |
| what they are learning and how they are doing | | | | By listening and being supportive of their ideas, even |
| academically. Your support and praise will go a long | | | | if you don't agree, makes them feel as if they can |
| way in boosting their confidence in school. | | | | come to you with their problems and discuss their |
| 4. When planning a family vacation you can ask your | | | | true feelings. |
| children where they want to go and what they want | | | | There is nothing better than having a place you can |
| to see or do. By incorporating them in the planning | | | | call home, where you feel loved, appreciated and |
| process you make them feel like an integral part of | | | | safe. As a parent, having a strong bond with your |
| the family. | | | | children creates a feeling of unity and safety. It is |
| 5. Many children have extracurricular activities like | | | | important to do all you can to create these family |
| sports or dance. By involving yourself in these | | | | bonds to ensure a happier and healthier family. |
| activities and praising them on their participation you | | | | Following any of the above activities this summer can |
| are helping build their confidence as well as | | | | help assist you and your family in creating a strong |
| strengthening your bond. | | | | life long bond and help foster better parenting skills |
| 6. Many parents know that reading to your child daily | | | | for you. |
| increases their literacy, but it also allows for a time | | | | |