As a dad, you may find it a bit of a challenge to bond with your children. Whether you’re a stay-at-home dad or a working man, it’s important to carve out time to connect with your child on a personal level. You can bond with your kids through simple ways, so read on to find out how:
Cook with them
When cooking healthy food is something you enjoy doing for your family, you’re already on the right track. To instill the importance of eating healthy in your children, have them sit in the kitchen with you and watch while you cook. You can even let your child tag along while you go grocery shopping and show them how you pick out your ingredients. Make black bean burgers that everyone can enjoy. Have them help to measure out the amount of each ingredient you need so that they can have a hands on experience.
Help with homework
When your kids get home from school, it’s very easy to get lost in the chaos of getting dinner ready while they do homework. Instead, make this a time where you can be together. Sit down at the kitchen table and ask your child what they’ve learned about in school that day and offer to help. Even if they don’t necessarily need help with completing their homework, they can explain what they’re doing and you can provide tips.
Watch a movie
After a long day (or a long week), you and your family might just need a break. You can have a relaxing night at home together, enjoying each other’s company. Choose from a selection of family Christian movies and sit back and watch before heading to bed on a given night. You can make this a weekly occurrence or just something you enjoy together on a family night. Even if you don’t talk throughout the movie, you’re still finding little ways to bond with your kids by just spending time together.
Let them help with chores
Instead of going off to complete your chores alone, invite your kids along. Let them assist while you wash the car by layering on the suds or washing it off with water. If you’re fixing something around the house, show them what you’re doing and let them be your little helper. While you may just consider your work around the house a chore, they will likely enjoy spending the time with you and find interest in learning something new.
Read to them before bed
A great way to connect with your children is to start and end your days by making time for them. When they get into bed, take a few minutes to lay with them and read a story. You can read free bedtime stories that they’ll enjoy, but most of all they’ll cherish those few minutes before bed when they get to hear your voice and be close to you.
Don’t just take part for the 7 days, you can and should wear your kids year round to reap the numerous bonding and health benefits both you and the kiddos receive. Speaking of health, you can even turn babywearing into exercise. Here’s a video I put together with Avery a long time ago….
I even turned mowing the lawn into a babywearing sprinting workout with her! The possibilities are endless!
Again, celebrate International Babywearing Week this week and ALL YEAR….and the next to keep your kiddos literally and figuratively close to you.
Make sure to follow these hashtags and give a little retweet/like love if you can:
#IBW2015
#citydads
Do you plan on celebrating by wearing your baby?
Do you already wear your baby or are you interested in starting?
Before Avery, my daughter, was born, I knew I wanted to wear her in a carrier. But, I was uninformed about the actual benefits of babywearing, I just thought it would be a cool way to get some extra exercise! Do you know anyone who tries to turn anything into some form of exercise? Well, meet one more….me!
With zero research, my wife and I bought a Baby Bjorn and thought we were all set. Once Avery was born, I was wearing her in the Bjorn at two weeks as we went on and did chores around the house.
Like most new parents these days, I proudly posted pictures of myself wearing Avery on Facebook and Twitter.
In one of my posts, I mentioned how I had sore shoulders after a long walk and another dad commented saying to ditch the Bjorn and get an Ergo. Then several other dads chimed in giving full support of getting a better carrier. Thus, my baby carrier research began.
For days, I read and re-read fact sheets on baby carriers and reviews by other parents. I was surprised at how detailed and passionate so many parents are about babywearing. I finally concluded that I had been doing it all wrong; letting my baby’s legs dangle and even having her face outward! According to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, dangling legs put your baby at a high risk of developing hip dysplasia.
Needless to say, I had to find a high quality carrier that would allow both Avery and me to be safe and comfortable wherever our adventures take us. Trying to figure out which one would be best was difficult; you’d think I was buying a new car! Then, I came across a review on Onya Baby and was drawn to their carriers. I know the other dads mentioned Ergo, but I had to make sure I didn’t rush into things like I did with the Bjorn.
I e-mailed Onya about possibly allowing me the opportunity to try one of their carriers and write a review on my blog. I received an upbeat response from Diana, who, after we spoke on the phone, kindly agreed to send their Outback model. Oh my gosh, I felt like I was getting a new car! I have since posted my review on our Onya Baby Outback carrier and am happily using it almost every day.
Ready to go on our first hike.
I say almost because Ergobaby recently sent me the Ventus carrier from their performance line to review and I use that as well. So far, Going Mom and I both enjoy it and it’s a good option for store trips. Having use several carriers now, I realize that there are many great choices out there and the best choice will vary depending on each individuals’ preferences.
Through all of this, I learned a great deal on the benefits of babywearing for both parents and their babies. For instance, if your baby simply hates “tummy time”, babywearing is said to eliminate the need for this exercise. Avery was part of the “tummy time” hate club, but she eventually learned to roll over without much time spent on her stomach. Was it from being worn in a baby carrier? I’m not sure, but I bet it definitely had a big role in her success.
Roll over success!
Babywearing offers a myriad of benefits over alternatives like strollers and car seats; here are several just to list a few:
It aids the baby in developing balance, motor skills, and mobility in general.
Babies who are worn are less likely to cry as much during the day and even at night!
Parents and their babies have a stronger bond when worn or carried and it will last all the way into adulthood.
Carried babies are happier and healthier.
Babies get a better view of the world around them when worn. Poor babies in strollers or car seats only know a world of knees and shins!
Babywearing parents also enjoy the freedom of both hands and to move around safely with baby happily close to you. Plus, my original reason for wanting to wear my baby, it really is great exercise!
I found these benefits of babywearing and much more on Boba’s website, Mark’s Daily Apple, and Onya’s blog. All sites are packed with useful information to answer all of your babywearing questions along with cites and sources to back it up.
The benefits listed above and on the websites add up to why I wear my baby, and can be explained in one word; love. Yes, I wear my baby because I love her more than I ever knew possible.
Skin to skin with dad!
The feeling that overwhelmed me as I watched Avery come into the world for the first time was a feeling of unconditional love. I only felt it one other time as I watched Going Mom walk down the aisle in her wedding dress. The air escapes from my lungs and I feel my heart stop in awe as happiness flows through my body; that’s true love!
As a dad, I will never be able to duplicate what my wife shares maternally with Avery, so I count on babywearing to get as close as I can. I wear my baby to help her grow into a happy, strong, confident, and loving daughter.
Heading out for a walk.
I am proud to have her close to me as I shop at the store, go on long walks, mow the lawn, or just move around the house. Everything we do and see, I tell what’s going on and I know she’s absorbing all of it in her constantly growing brain.
So, when asked why I wear my baby, I could pull out a list and go over the slew of reasons, but I will just say it’s because I love her. And, according to The Beatles, “All You Need Is Love”! I’m a proud dad to the most adorable girl and happy husband to the most amazing wife, and love is what makes us a happy, healthy family. Okay, and good food and exercise!
I want to express my deep gratitude to Onya Baby for giving me the chance to see what a real baby carrier is like which has turned me into a major advocate for babywearing!
Are you a fellow babywearer?
If so, what are your reasons?
If not, would you like to?
An at-home dad on a mission to keep it real when it comes to food, fun, and raising a healthy, happy family.
