Bonding With Kids

Parenting Guru: Secrets to a happy family

Julie Weingarden Dubin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:00:00 -0800

Want a happy family? Learn to stick together through the rough spots and practice what you preach, says Scott Haltzman, M.D., clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University and author of The Secrets of Happy Families: Eight Keys to Building a Lifetime of Connection and Contentment. Dr. Haltzman gives tips on how to bond.

5 Games to play at the dinner table

Kat Hobza — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:00:00 -0800

The dinner table is an excellent time for families to reconnect at the end of the day — but some families miss this opportunity by getting into the habit of watching TV during dinner. We've got a few ideas to bring fun back to dinnertime.

Managing technology and family

Marva Soogrim — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:00:00 -0800

Technology can certainly be convenient, but it can also be a distraction too. Unfortunately in many families, parents and children are becoming more disconnected from each other than in years past due to calls, texts, emails, social media, video games and other technology.

Practicing Gratitude: Five minutes from mom

Nichole Beaudry — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 09:00:00 -0700

If you compiled a list of things that no one tells you about parenting before you have children, you could fill a parenting book. And while many things may truly come as a surprise to you, there's one thing that I'm convinced is the most tightly guarded secret of all.

Watching the presidential debates with your kids

Monica Beyer — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:00:00 -0700

Presidential debates are a golden opportunity to educate and interact with your children on the subject of American government using a real-time current event. Help them form their own opinions this year by watching them together.

Breaking bread: The importance of family mealtime

Kori Ellis — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 08:49:00 -0700

Sitting down to eat with your kids provides an opportunity for bonding and learning. It's important for families to sit down together for meals as often as possible.

Prioritizing fun as a family

Kori Ellis — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:07:00 -0700

Most families live a very busy lifestyle. Parents work long hours and kids are consumed by school and extracurricular activities. Sometimes we end up neglecting one thing that is very important -- family fun. Read on to find out why you should make fun as a family a priority.

Summer fun: 31 days, 31 ways

Lisa Steinke — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:00:00 -0700

Is it August already? Are there really only 31 days left until Fall is here... until the kids go back to school? Well, why not make the most of the last month of summer with these 31 fun, kid-friendly ideas?

Keep your kids connected with their grandparents

Lisa Steinke — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:00:00 -0700

There is nothing more special than the relationship between your parents and your children, don't you agree? But, if the grandparents in your kids' lives live in another city or even another state, it can be harder to keep that connection strong. Here are tips for making sure kids and grandparents stay close, even when they're far away, including Skyping and sending a journal back and forth.

Connect with your kids: Share a journal together

Molly Cerreta Smith — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:00:00 -0700

Try this as an easy and fun way to connect with your kids — start a journal together. An inexpensive spiral notebook is all you need to start a journal — and start connecting — with your kids.

10 Reasons to appreciate the time you have with your kids

Molly Cerreta Smith — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:00:00 -0700

Come mid-summer you'll probably be ready for school to start . But don't be so quick to wish your kids back to school — they'll be grown before you know it. Though motherhood has its challenging times, we dare you to read this list of reasons to appreciate your kids without shedding a tear or two... or at least feeling guilty for wanting school to start already. Kidding!

Practicing gratitude: 10 Simple ways to show gratitude to your kids

Nichole Beaudry — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 09:00:00 -0700

We all love to feel important and appreciated and children are no exception. Here are some simple, but powerful ways to make your kids feel valued, show them just how much they mean to you and help foster a closeness that will last a lifetime.

10 Baby bonding tips

Whitney Coy — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:27:00 -0700

The bond between you and your baby is something that’s hard to describe. It’s what makes you OK with 3 a.m. feedings and ready to jump in between her and anything harmful. It’s what makes you ready to shower her with love, hugs and kisses, and it’s what lets her know that you’ll be there to provide all of those things.

How to celebrate Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Kori Ellis — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day is a fabulous opportunity for parents to spend more time with their kids, reinforce the value of hard work and education and help children plan their future.

5 Date night (or day) ideas for you and your child

Lisa Steinke — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 -0700

Let's face it: Life is busy and hectic. And it can be challenging to find a day on the calendar for a date night with your hubby. But have you thought about dating your kids? One-on-one time with your child is important not only for bonding but for keeping the lines of communication open. So next time? Leave your husband at home and take your child out instead. Read on for date ideas for you and your child.

Kiss the "mama's boy" myth goodbye

Naomi de la Torre — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:00:00 -0700

In her groundbreaking new book, "The Mama's Boy Myth," Kate Stone Lombardi blasts away the myth that has been keeping moms and sons at an arm’s distance for centuries. Read on to learn why keeping our sons close makes them stronger.

Tiny fingers, manicures and motherhood

Nichole Beaudry — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0800

Mother-daughter manicures and pedicures are often about more than polish. Here's how slowing down, minimizing outside distractions, and savoring the small moments can be a great way to foster closeness with your daughter.

Being a part of your boy’s world

Marva Soogrim — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:00:00 -0800

We all know the cliche “like father, like son.” However, what about “like mother, like son?” While mothers can bond with their daughters over shopping and mani-pedis, where are a mom and son’s common links? As your son gets older, he may become even more distant unless you bond early on.

4 Ways for kids to bond with grandparents

Michelle Maffei — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:50:00 -0700

Short visits with the grandparents are great for grandkids, but you can help the kids strengthen the bond between generations with a few fun activities. From having your kids interview grandma and grandpa about their childhood to helping children and grandparents start new family traditions, discover four ways for kids to bond with grandparents.

10 Simple ways to bond with kids

Kim Grundy — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:30:00 -0700

Between work, school and extracurricular activities, you may feel disconnected from your family and kids. If you feel like you are texting your kids more than talking, and yelling at them more than playing with them, follow these 10 simple tips for bonding and connecting with your kids.

4 Ways to be a fun mom today

Sarah W. Caron — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:45:00 -0700

Forget schedules, discipline and goals for a second! These things are important, but so is having fun which is why you shoulds take some time to share laughs and enjoy your kids today. Check out these 4 easy ways to be a fun mom today -- and every day!