A Busy Parent’s Guide to Bonding

Enjoy music

Sing along with the radio together in the car. Have Amazon’s Alexa play a few Disney tunes at bedtime as you’re tucking them in. I promise they’ll soak up and appreciate these positive, mindful moments as much as—if not more than—a well-planned vacation or expensive new toy.

Take a walk or head to the backyard

Instead of jumping right into homework after school, take the kids outside and join them in a game of catch or hide-and-seek. Walk around the block once. Take a few minutes to breathe in the fresh air while asking them about their day.

Cook together

If you’ve been working all day, just picked your kids up from school or daycare and don’t necessarily have energy to take them to the park or plan a special activity together, don’t worry. Why not include them in cooking dinner? It doesn’t have to be a complicated, home-cooked meal. Even if you stir up a box of pancake mix or heat up some chicken nuggets, include your children in the process.

Watch a movie

Change up story time and instead watch a quick episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood or a Disney short on the iPad before bed. Even if the two of you don’t chat and just snuggle up with a blanket, you’re still bonding, and your presence makes your child feel safe and secure.

Just listen

My 5-year-old sure knows when I’m not giving him my absolute, undivided attention. He tells me, “Wisten, wisten (listen)!” until I make eye contact and notice what he is trying to show me on his iPad or a toy he brought me. This may happen while we’re playing with PlayDoh, coloring or building with Legos. Sometimes, the simplest and best way to snatch those bonding moments is to be fully present and engaged in simple activities together.

Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, son, daughter and dog.