5 Ways to Bond with a Toddler

The toddler years are some of the most difficult years for a parent. The only years comparable are the teen years. I have found that making the effort to bond with a child in the younger ages makes the teen ages much easier and more rewarding for you both!

1. Choose your battles. You may have already noticed that your toddler’s favorite word is “NO.” He really doesn’t need it reinforced. If it is something that will cause him harm or harm to someone else, by all means tell him no! If you are just wanting him to be a perfect gentleman, step back and remember he is a toddler. He hasn’t been alive that long, yet. There is time!

2. Read. There is an abundance of reasons to read to your child, but one of the best reasons is because it gives you a chance to bond. I suggest seemingly silly books and books that show how much a parent can love a child. One of my favorites, and a favorite of my daughter’s, is I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt. It is a wonderfully silly book about a child who is trying to find out the boundaries of the mother’s love. One wonderful thing about her answers is that she always ends by saying, “I love you.” It doesn’t matter what far-fetched scenario the child dreams up. Another wonderful thing is that the child is not easily discernable as a boy or a girl, allowing all children to relate. My daughter loves that book so much that she has kept it so she will be able to read it to her children someday.

3. Play silly games. Children love to play games, but toddlers aren’t always so adept at following rules. They will remember the games you play with them, though, especially if they are silly. I remember my parents playing a game with me where I sat on their leg and they bounced me up and down until the horse fell, at which point their leg would suddenly give way. Since they were always holding onto me, there was no chance of my getting hurt. I loved that game so much that I played it with my daughter when she was young.

4. Talk. What does a toddler have to talk about? You may be surprised. Sometimes they will tell you a story that is way out there. Don’t take that as a precursor to lying. Recognize it as their budding creativity. See how far their minds will go by asking them who, what, when, where, why, and how questions. This will help to develop their critical thinking skills. When your child is older, you will be happy that they feel comfortable talking to you without you judging them!

5. Sing songs. Children love to sing songs, and songs stay with you. It is easy to remember songs, even years after you last heard them. When they hear them again, they will remember that they earned that song as a child. I had tapes of children’s songs that I would put on in the car every time I went somewhere with my daughter. We still share those special times, even if the songs are different and she is the one driving!

It is important to start bonding with your child when they are young. If you wait until they are in high school, it will be too late. You will have a lot of battles and grief. Make those moves to bond now!

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