What do YOU do to bond with your tween?

[Anonymous]

Ideas for dads and daughters? DD doesn’t seem to want to do anything but watch videos and play games on her iPad, tough to convince her to do anything else.

[Anonymous]

My son is sports obsessed, so I play whatever he wants - usually a ball sport. I'm a horribly uncoordinated, not athletic middle aged woman, but its what he wants to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ideas for dads and daughters? DD doesn’t seem to want to do anything but watch videos and play games on her iPad, tough to convince her to do anything else.

So start there. What is she watching and playing on the iPad? Join her! Let her teach you. That's how I'm ending up in the horror movie situation. I had to listen to him talking about them, so let's step it and and go to one together - while we're at it, we'll grab lunch, listen to music in the car and make a day of it.

Other posters had the right idea too - a standing breakfast date. Try a new place each time and rate the pancakes - boom - pancakes are now your THING.

Take her for a pedicure. It's not just for moms anymore.

Now that my kid is old enough for the front seat, he controls the music and we just drive to nowhere. I don't complain about the music, it gives me a chance to be in his world.

[Anonymous]

I have girls so its easy. I take them to Starbucks, Bubble Tea, Target or Sephora/Ulta. Yes, I essentially buy them. I also watch all the stupid tik toks they think are hilarious and pretend that I think they are hiliarious too. Its so painful but it makes them want to include me so its worth it. They are good kids and I love them so much.

[Anonymous]

Cooking, skiing, watching Abbott Elementary, driving them around

[Anonymous]

I have girls. We talk and talk and talk, lots of gossip and analyzing. Nothing off limits!
I give my younger one back massages. I take them cool places, we eat adventurous foods, we horse around, they teach me how to dance.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, almost nothing. He has severe ADHD, is addicted to his phone, and doesn't do schoolwork unless I stand over him and nag. It's a really difficult period and relationship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, almost nothing. He has severe ADHD, is addicted to his phone, and doesn't do schoolwork unless I stand over him and nag. It's a really difficult period and relationship.

My boy is like this. I bonded by showing interest in what he looks at on his phone. It's a lot of tik tok memes, and I can see why he likes them.

The main thing was that I stopped judging him, and how he spent his time. Instead, I just started conveying the idea that I appreciated who he was as a person, and could trust him to do the right thing -- or at least, ask for help if he had trouble figuring out what the right thing was. It was a gamechanger in our relationship.

[Anonymous]

Watch shows that she likes
Hang out with her while she’s having breakfast before school every morning. Most of the time I also eat or clean up the kitchen before work anyway. It’s pretty much the only one on one time the two of us get since her sis and dad aren’t up yet.
Go for walks in the neighborhood.
She’s not much of a talker but it’s nice to spend time together.

[Anonymous]

Cook/bake
Hike
Watch documentaries
Drive to and from sports stuff (either just us or with friends), which I never expected to love so much

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cook/bake
Hike
Watch documentaries
Drive to and from sports stuff (either just us or with friends), which I never expected to love so much

Same for me. Love this time and treasure it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, almost nothing. He has severe ADHD, is addicted to his phone, and doesn't do schoolwork unless I stand over him and nag. It's a really difficult period and relationship.

My boy is like this. I bonded by showing interest in what he looks at on his phone. It's a lot of tik tok memes, and I can see why he likes them.

The main thing was that I stopped judging him, and how he spent his time. Instead, I just started conveying the idea that I appreciated who he was as a person, and could trust him to do the right thing -- or at least, ask for help if he had trouble figuring out what the right thing was. It was a gamechanger in our relationship.

This is a parenting perspective that everybody needs to hear. Good job, PP.

[Anonymous]

We watch slightly age inappropriate anime together. It’s my anime and I guess the fact that it’s kind of naughty makes it better somehow?

[Anonymous]

Board games
Roller skating
Camping with Girl Scouts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, almost nothing. He has severe ADHD, is addicted to his phone, and doesn't do schoolwork unless I stand over him and nag. It's a really difficult period and relationship.

Same here. No ADHD, but OCD and social anxiety and phone addiction. I miss spending time with him so much, but I can't find anything we can do together, and of course I get to be the bad guy forcing him to do homework.