{"id":167,"date":"2012-05-16T18:31:35","date_gmt":"2012-05-16T18:31:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lifeasaconsciousmom\/?p=167"},"modified":"2012-05-16T18:34:55","modified_gmt":"2012-05-16T18:34:55","slug":"5-simple-yet-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-your-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lifeasaconsciousmom\/2012\/05\/16\/5-simple-yet-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-your-child\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Simple Yet Meaningful Ways To Connect With Your Child"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Some of my favorite moments happen when Caidin and I are doing things that allow us to \u2018just be\u2019. These moments create a great sense of connection. If your child is little, start doing these things now and they will become things you and your child turn to often, even as they grow-up. If your child is older, start doing these things yourself and invite your child to join you. Don\u2019t push, don\u2019t insist, just invite and be sure to do them, even if your child says \u2018no\u2019. Eventually your child will say \u2018yes\u2019 to one of your invitations.<\/p>\n

Baking <\/strong>\u00a0– I love baking in general, but I especially love to bake with Caidin. For me, baking has a meditative quality to it. I think it’s because of the process and all that measuring. When I’m baking with Caidin there is also something about the process of creating something together that we then get to eat that is very rewarding and bonding. As he has gotten older his contributions are increasing. He can now get ingredients out, measure, stir and mix. I\u2019m reluctant to talk about what a child can learn through baking, because I really want you to focus on connecting today, but baking does offer countless ways to integrate fractions, addition and subtraction, measurement and time into your day-to-day. On the whole, baking is a great way to connect with your child. Just remember to let them do what they can, help them with what they can\u2019t and either decide together on what you are going to make, or take turns each time you bake something.<\/p>\n

Reading <\/strong>\u2013 Reading is such a wonderful gift in general, but when you delve into a book with your child you have a whole world to discuss and explore that offers a neutral place \u2013 it isn\u2019t yours and it isn\u2019t your child\u2019s. I started reading to Caidin very early on and it has always been a time when the outside world just disappears. As he has gotten older, he will often come to me and say \u2018Can I read to you?\u2019 Sometimes he reads his Highlight\u2019s magazine, sometimes from a book he\u2019s interested in. Regardless of what we read, it is that feeling of comfort, peace and connection that makes reading together special.<\/p>\n

Sitting<\/strong> \u2013 I started \u2018just sitting\u2019 with Caidin when we lived in Brooklyn. I\u2019d find a spot:-the front stoop, a park bench, the steps of city hall- and I say \u2018let\u2019s sit for a few minutes.\u2019 And then we would. We would \u2018just sit\u2019 there for no reason other than to sit together. If it\u2019s raining, I especially like to go and sit somewhere to watch the rain. Taking a few minutes to sit together, with no agenda or purpose creates a space where you and your child can \u2018be\u2019 instead of \u2018do\u2019. Some of my favorite memories with Caidin happened when we were \u2018just sitting\u2019 and apparently some of his favorite moments happen then too, as he will often say to me \u2018remember that time we sat on the rocker and watched the rain?\u2019 or \u2018remember when we used to sit on the stoop in Brooklyn?\u2019<\/p>\n

Walking <\/strong>\u2013 Walking has so many wonderful health benefits, but it\u2019s also a great way to bond and connect with your child. You can pick different spots to explore, making each walk an adventure. When you walk, start by being quiet and just enjoy your surroundings and the company of your child. As you walk, conversation will unfold naturally and if it doesn\u2019t it\u2019s a great way to teach your child that talking isn\u2019t always necessary.<\/p>\n

Gardening<\/strong> \u2013 Anytime we can create something with our child, it\u2019s a good moment. Gardening helps us bond by working together to care for the earth and then we get to watch the fruits of our labor come to life. Digging in the earth is grounding, focusing and calming as well. During the winter, you can look through gardening catalogues and plan together for the coming growing season.<\/p>\n

These are just a few ways to connect with your child through \u2018being\u2019. Although these are all actions, when we are doing them, we can find a place to simply ‘be’. \u00a0We spend so much time rushing to get places or having an agenda, or needing to do one thing or another. Gifting your child with the ability to \u00a0\u2018be\u2019 will benefit them today and in the future. Whether it\u2019s taking a moment to sit or getting lost in a good book or enjoying the process of baking something wonderful, \u2018being\u2019 is a life-long strategy that will help you and your child foster a strong and bonded relationship.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a9 2012 Christine Agro<\/p>\n

Christine Agro is a clairvoyant, naturopath, Master Herbalist, conscious mom and author of 50 Ways to Live Life Consciously as well as of The Conscious Living Wisdom Cards (Special Moms\u2019 Edition). Christine is founder of\u00a0The Conscious Mom\u2019s Guide<\/em><\/a>, a membership site where she helps support you on your own journey of living life consciously and on your journey of being a Conscious parent. You can also join Christine on\u00a0Facebook<\/em><\/a>. To contact Christine, to schedule an appointment with her or inquire about having Christine speak please\u00a0email<\/a>\u00a0her.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some of my favorite moments happen when Caidin and I are doing things that allow us to \u2018just be\u2019. These moments create a great sense of connection. If your child is little, start doing these things now and they will become things you and your child turn to often, even as they grow-up. If your…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":495,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,3,10],"tags":[51,48,52,47,49,9,50,53],"class_list":["post-167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-conscious-parenting-2","category-life-as-a-conscious-mom","category-list-day","tag-activities-for-children","tag-baking-for-children","tag-children-activities","tag-children-baking","tag-children-gardening","tag-christine-agro","tag-gardening-for-children","tag-how-to-parent"],"yoast_head":"\n5 Simple Yet Meaningful Ways To Connect With Your Child - Life As A Conscious Mom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lifeasaconsciousmom\/2012\/05\/16\/5-simple-yet-meaningful-ways-to-connect-with-your-child\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Simple Yet Meaningful Ways To Connect With Your Child - Life As A Conscious Mom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Some of my favorite moments happen when Caidin and I are doing things that allow us to \u2018just be\u2019. 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