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Ideas for Single Fathers to Connect With Their Children |
1. Create a space for your child somewhere in your home. Even if it is
just a corner or basket with all his or her stuff. It will help the
child to feel like they have a piece of your home.
2. Make and enjoy meals together. A simple sandwich for lunch or dinner
or bagels and juice for breakfast. It gives an opportunity for
conversation. You don't have to be a gourmet cook. Making pasta,
meatballs and sauce are not that difficult with a recipe.
3. Have down time for you and your child. You don't have to plan every
moment that you are together. Sometimes just being in the same room
together is comforting.
4. Don't force things to happen allow them to just be. Be patient, consistent and give the relationship time to grow.
5. Talk to your kids not at them, while looking them in the eye without
distractions from TV or the computer. Ask simple starter questions
like; How was your week? Did you meet any new friends this week? What
subject is giving you trouble? Try to relate something in your life to
what they might be struggling with.
6. Laughter. Lots of Laughter. (Put on some music and dance, that always makes my kids laugh)
7. Let them know that you are a person too. Share something with them
that might be bothering you (age appropriate). Maybe someone got you
upset at your job and share how you handled it in a kind and
compassionate way. Be honest and real but on their level. Let them know
you have feelings too without giving them your burdens.
8. Plan a vacation with them. Involve them in researching where they want to go together.
9. Hugs, Lots of Hugs.
10. Kind positive words. Boundaries; don't allow them to run your home just because they are only there for a short time.
11. During time when you are not with your child keep a journal of each
day and tell them how you miss them. Talk about something that made
your day. Use this tool to talk to your child. Hand the journal to your
child and ask them to write in it especially when they are missing you
the most and cant get to talk to you. Alternate weeks or days of having
the journal so you can write to each other. Don't force them to write
at first it will just come naturally.
12. Tell them you love them, hug them, tell them you are there for
them. Tell them you love them, tell them you love them.....Be their
Parent. Love them, Lead them and set Limits for them.
Article via DadsForKids.org
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