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How dads can bond with their baby and/or toddler |
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by ClayCook  (February 2006) (rank 32nd) |
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As our son has grown up I have really tried to make sure we have bonded as much as possible.
He absolutely adores his mother who is his primary care giver, and naturally there was a period where he did not want to be held by me if his mom
was available. If I remember correctly this was when he was about 12-15 months old. From what I have heard this is very common, some fathers however can get a little insulted and not feel loved by their little ones.
So how can fathers increase their bond with their baby or toddler?
Here are some things I have found that have really helped. The result is that I have a smiling toddler who at 18 months old loves to run, giggle and leap into my body and arms whenever he gets the chance....
- Swimming Lessons
- or swimming without lessons
- the water is a great soother and a fantastic place for father and bub to have very close personal contact whilst having heaps of fun.
- Reading Books
- They normally sit in your lap.
- They are relaxed and learning from you.
- Being on the floor with them... get down to their level.
- They don't like people dwarfing them.
- You can play side by side with them here even if they don't initially want you to play with them.
- They will get curious eventually.
- Playing on the swing
- For some reason he really enjoys me swinging him.
- He seems to associate the swing with relaxing and being with his dad.
- He loves his mom swinging him also.
- Bath time.
- I always bath our son at 6.45pm every night. It is a special event he shares with his father.
- Saying goodnight.
- I am always the last to say goodnight, give him a kiss and turn off his lights.
- I think I started this routine from about 9 months on.
- Rachel (my wife) is also very conscious of making sure Codi bonds with me. She is the one that insisted and set up a couple of the times above. I am very happy that she really pushed for this early on. I think it is important that the other parent realise that your child needs special one on one activities with each parent.
I hope this helps.
