A Working Parent’s Guide to Bonding with Your Child

Every parent is aware of the importance of being there for the early years of their child’s life. According to scientific studies, infant brain development depends a great deal on a loving bond or attachment with a primary caregiver. Evidence suggests that neglect and a lack of love in their early years can lead to long-term mental health issues in the later years of a child’s life.

These findings have alarmed a lot of working parents. They’re concerned about whether they’re putting their child’s mental health at risk by leaving them at a daycare while they go off to work. However, the science also says that childcare center time doesn’t affect a child’s trust in their parents.

In some cases, leaving the child at daycare for a few hours a week has shown significant improvement in the relationship between working mothers and their children. It has even been shown to improve the quality of time spent together.

The most important thing is finding the best way and time to bond. Here are some tips that will help busy parents maximize the quality and quantity of time they spent with their children:

Sharing the Morning Time

Sharing your morning with your child and having breakfast together leads to significant improvements in the bond between parent and child. Although working parents work during the day, spending these first couple of hours creates a positive impact on how they tackle the day.

Share the details of your day, what your plans are, how you’ll miss them, etc. to make them feel like they’re a part of your life. Try dropping them to daycare yourself and engage with them during the ride to make the most of your morning time together.

Get Creative with Showing Your Love for Them

One of the most difficult things for working parents and their children is spending so many hours away from each other. However, you can still show your love from afar by getting creative.

Leave little notes in their lunchboxes while packing their lunch, wear matching clothes, or give them a special accessory that will remind them of you. These gestures are small, but the personal touch makes them quite meaningful for your child.

Schedule Activities Regularly

Whether it’s going for an early morning walk on Sunday or going out for bowling on Saturday, scheduling bonding activities regularly and making sure they happen gives both the parent and the child something to look forward to.

Involve your child in planning these activities and make them feel like their opinion is valued. Not only is this a good way to bond with your child, but it also helps in creating lasting memories for the entire family.

Be Spontaneous!

Spontaneous trips can be exciting and wonderful. Once you pick up your child from daycare, maybe you can go for a bite or stop for ice-cream on the way home. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate set-up. Even the small bit of spontaneity like going for grocery shopping after daycare is appreciated by the children and gives them extra time to spend with you outside of the home.

Looking For a Reputable Daycare Center?

Kids ‘R’ Kids is a leading toddler and childcare center in Oviedo, FL. Our ‘Hug first, then teach’ policy ensures each child feels understood and valued. Our expert staff focuses on every aspect of your child’s personality to help them form a positive outlook on life. We also stress upon developing a healthy home and school relationship to integrate the parents in the process as much as possible.