Tips for strengthening the mother-daughter bond
(BPT) - Mom. It's a very important title; one that establishes you as a role model for your young daughter. Being a mom is a tough job, always challenging you to find ways to create and strengthen that special bond. The good news is it doesn't have to be complicated. Just find activities you both like, so you can spend time together developing special memories that will last a lifetime.
Creating special memories with your daughter can be easy and fun. Just think about the hobbies you liked to do, and how you spent your time. Who knows, maybe your daughter will come home from school with an interest in a new activity that takes you right back to your youth! Here are a few helpful tips for creating lasting mother-daughter memories while the cold winter months keep everyone inside:
* Write together – If your daughter is middle-to-late elementary-school age, she's entering the phase where she wants to remember what's happening in her life, and also has some curiosity about what you did as a child. Purchase or create your own mother-daughter journal with topic suggestions on each page. Write your topic on one side, and your daughter’s on the other. Topics can include school, friends, what made you laugh, family members or anything else important to you. Your answers will give your daughter insight into what your childhood was like, and it allows you to keep up with what's going on in her life.
* Play together – You devoured the Nancy Drew mystery series as a young girl. She's been engaging girls’ interests since the 1930s, and the books are still a big hit. While you may have outgrown the series yourself, Her Interactive has developed video games (PC/Mac) where you get to play as Nancy Drew. You might work with Bess, George or even The Hardy Boys to solve crimes around the world. In the latest release, Nancy Drew: Labyrinth of Lies, you'll be challenged to solve the mystery by putting together the pieces of information from conversations, interactive puzzles, cryptic notes and hidden messages. You and your daughter can team up together, or play separately and compare notes to figure out a clue or navigate a secret passage. Not only will the Her Interactive Nancy Drew series share your passion for mystery, it will also introduce your daughter to a strong female role model.
* Cook or craft together – Maybe you have a family recipe that has been passed down for generations. It could be a special cake that is always made for birthdays in the family, or a pie with berries handpicked from the backyard. Your daughter will enjoy learning the secrets of making this special recipe that the rest of the family will enjoy sampling. And if you have hand-crafted items decorating your house made by your mother or yourself, there's a good chance your daughter will express an interest in learning how to knit, crochet, sew or sketch. Taking time to teach her the crafting skills will be a fun educational experience that connects you both.
The bond between moms and daughters is strong, and with these ways of sharing memories of your childhood with your daughter, you can strengthen that bond and spend quality time together.