Mother and Daughter Bonding: Three Ideas for Time Together

Time with your daughter fits naturally into your daily schedule when they are small; your toddler and preschooler have necessities that require your presence. But as your daughter gets older, it may be more difficult to find the time to bond with her. Planning some specific activities for this purpose will help.

Go Shopping

Okay, it is not original. But what female of any age doesn’t like shopping. I still remember the Saturday morning shopping trips and lunches with my mother. I learned what colours I could wear well, which styles looked best on me, and how to shop sales effectively.

When I was really around ten years old, Mum found a store with a fashion-show lunch one day a week. I remember the crust-less cucumber sandwiches, cut in diamonds and circles. Our shopping trips were not as frequent when I was a teen, but they were still special occasions. Even after I was married, my infrequent trips home usually included a shopping trip.

Get Beautiful Together

Your daughter will reach a point when she has an interest in wearing makeup. Teaching her how to apply makeup correctly is important and can boost her self-esteem. Department store cosmetics counters offer make-up tips and will give your daughter lessons in how to effectively apply their products, as will some stores specializing in cosmetics. Of course, they want you to buy their products, so prepare your daughter by discussing how much you are willing to spend ahead of time.

When your daughter is about eight years old, buy her a nail care set and spend some time teaching her how to care for her nails. Spend bonding time each week doing your toe and fingernail manicuring together. You can include the purchase of new colors of polish on your shared shopping trips.

A professional manicure and/or pedicure can be a special treat for your pre-teen or teen daughter. This can be an educational experience as you teach them how to determine the cleanliness of the facility and how to communicate what they want done in a polite and acceptable manner.

Your older daughter will enjoy a spa day. Look for two-for-one specials or ask if they have reduced prices for one day of the week or packages offers.

If you have your hair done professionally, take your daughter for her hair to be done at the same time.  Afterwards, treat yourselves to a special lunch at a place you both love, or take turns picking a new restaurant to try.

Get Crafty

Go to a craft supply store and pick out a project to do together. If you and/or your daughter are not the crafty type, consider lessons. Some stores provide relatively inexpensive group lessons. Also explore your community for art and craft lessons provided by individuals or community organizations.

If you have a talent you excel at, teach your daughter that skill. Sewing, cooking, baking, cake decorating, gardening, knitting, crocheting – the list seems endless. If you enjoy doing an activity, share it with your daughter.

Shopping, getting beautiful with your daughter, building on your interests with a shared experience, or learning a new talent can all provide bonding experiences you and your daughter will both enjoy and remember for years to come.