Seven Overlooked Opportunities for Bonding With Your Children

Most families will tell you that their first priority is the family, but their actions don't always reflect their goals. Why not use everyday moments to full advantage? When you're driving together, for example, you have a captive audience. These are prime times for bonding as well as transmitting family values.

1. Do household chores as a team. Work together to clean up their messes when needed and invite them at an early age to learn how to fold laundry or put away silverware and plastic dishes from the dishwasher.
2. When driving with children ask questions about how they are thinking or feeling, the highs and lows of their day, or sing together.
3. Reading bedtime stories together. Use a dramatic voice, make animal noises and use gestures to heighten interest
4. Enjoy wash up and bathtub time together.
5. Standing in line at the store? Use this moment to ask questions to draw out their intellect and understanding, like, what's this made out of? Metal or plastic?
6. Take a walk together. Point out the beauty and amazing details of nature. Ask questions.

7. Play a game together.

We're in a society where family members may be too busy for their own good. It's crucial that we utilize those overlooked moments that fly by so quickly. Right now you may feel the drudgery, sleeplessness, dirty diapers or soccer practices are overwhelming. But blink your eyes and those kids will be packing for college. You have just a few short years to instill your values and to produce mature, respectful, responsible, service-minded adults. So reclaim those daily for your well thought through long term goals, because down time is largely the stuff of life.

Beth