“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb, a reward.”
~Psalm 127:3
As moms, we want to make sure that we’re balancing our time between work, rest, and family time. It’s tough sometimes, but with God and intentionality, we can do it. No doubt, we’ve got work to do. However, we also have been entrusted to our children, and they to us. What a beautiful entrustment. Right? With all of this being said, bonding with our children is an important piece of mothering well. And so on this note, I’d love to share with you 3 Creative Bonding Tips for Moms.
Bonding Tip #1 - Behold Your Blessings
That’s right, behold the precious child or children that God has blessed you with. When your child or children are sleeping, take a pause and open the door to their bedroom. Glance at your beautiful gift or gifts nestled in the bed. This is a moment to behold. It’s a quiet moment to simply reflect on the bundle or bundles of joy that God has bestowed upon you. Embrace it, and I would even encourage you to go a step further. Bond with them while they are lying down to rest or sleep.
I do this from time to time. My children are teenagers now, but that doesn’t stop this mama from sliding into bed with them as they are playing on their phones and joining them for a lighthearted conversation. My daughter (who is 17) loves it! She giggles when I say, “Can I join you for a moment?” And we lay there and talk, dream, and laugh together. This is bonding right at home.
Bonding Tip #2 - Create Simple Adventures
Who’s up for some ice cream? My kids love it! How about yours? When we head out to Baskin-Robbins for a delicious scoop of our favorite ice cream, it typically turns into a great bonding moment. We’re not only enjoying our treat, but we’re also enjoying the conversation around the dessert. So, whether you’re going to your favorite ice cream parlor or going for a hike or playing a board game, turn it into an adventure. I think, whether your kids are babies, teenagers, or adolescents, they’ll feel an instant bond. Try it!
Bonding Tip #3 – Pray with Your Children
There is nothing like the power of prayer. When you and I pray with our kids, there is a peace and calm that surrounds our day. If your child is still in the womb, pray. If your child is driving you insane, pray for sanity. If your child is a pre-teen or teenager struggling with peer pressure or life’s issues, pray for change and breakthrough.
God is big, and He can move mountains when we pray. Prayer has the power to change things. When we take a moment to lock hands with our children in prayer, the bond of the Holy Spirit is present. So pray with your children, and pray for your children. In the end, I know you’ll be glad that you did. And they will too. A helpful resource that I recommend for moms is a book by Stormie O'martian that is entitled, “The Power of a Praying Mom.” It is wonderful.
Your fellow Able Mom,
Courtnaye Richard
Father in the name of Jesus, I pray that you help us as mothers to bond with “your” children. No matter the age, help us to not let anything get in the way of us nurturing and caring for the gifts that you have given to us. We thank you for the gift of motherhood. Help us to steward this beautiful responsibility well. Amen.