I bond with my 5 year old son .. by showing him that mom can do "boy" things and enjoy them . I often take my son fishing or hiking ... he loves it and thinks its "cool" that mom like those things too !

By Laurie on 7/24/2009

My son was a severe asthmatic when he was born so we spent many weeks in the hospital together and many nights at home when he was unable to sleep. We have a very loving relationship. When my son got married 2 years ago, I was afraid that we would not be so close but I have gained a daughter in the process. He calls me every night just to see if everything is ok & what is going on with my husband and I. Both of them ask us for advice on things and we can now have those grown up talks about everything. Just the kind of relationship I had longer for when he was a baby. We agree to disagree sometimes but most of the time we are on the same page with our thinking. I raised him to have morals and be a stand up kind of person. So I know when he makes decisions I have done all I could to be able to let go of his hand but still hold on to his heart.

By Graner on 7/24/2009

• Fm said:

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  I began bonding with my sons when they were babies. Today, they are 50 and 48. One lives in Texas away from us, and we (I) receive phone calls at least  once a week, plus e-mails. They still ask my advice,opinions, and help with their children.

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That is wonderful. My son is now 31 with no children yet and we still have a great relationship.

By Graner on 7/24/2009

My son and I have a fabulous relationship and have always been very close. We're buddies but we have a lot of respect for the parent/child dynamic. We can talk about anything including my work, his friends, school, emotions, etc.  I'm sure the relationship is so strong because I was always honest and fair with him, even if he didn't like the answer. Also, as he showed more and more responsiblity, I gave him a lot more freedom to make his own choices and grow.
But, I think the bonding started because we always played together when he was a little boy..doing crafts, going on outings, etc. One day after doing some project or other, when he was about 4 or so, he asked me, "Did you like to do this when you were a little boy?"  I'll never forget the startled look on his face when I told him, "I was never a little boy. I was a little girl." Priceless.

By Fiona on 7/25/2009

Iam a single parent. I have twins girl and boy -12 years old. I am having a hard time bonding with him. The father is not in the picture. How can i make our mother son relationship better.He doesnt get into trouble at school or with the law. But he is always so angry.

By carrie on 7/25/2009

• carrie said:

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  Iam a single parent. I have twins girl and boy -12 years old. I am having a hard time bonding with him. The father is not in the picture. How can i make our mother son relationship better.He doesnt get into trouble at school or with the law. But he is always so angry.

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Wow!!  I applaud you.  It is tough enough with the twelves, yet doing it alone.  My husband and I found that one on one time with our oldest boy improved the relationship.  Even if it's just playing video games with him.  Your daughter is old enough to entertain herself in the house, so set some mom and son time aside, where your daughter cannot interrupt, only in case of emergency.  If you have someone who can watch your daughter while you take your son out, that is even cooler (or daughter has a sleepover at a friend's house). Let your son pick a location for a day trip.  Our 12 yr old was always angry, and we came to find out he was very jealous of his younger brothers.  We then set aside big bro time, where it was mom and Caleb only, or dad (no brothers aloud) - baseball game, movie and dinner, fishing, biking, skateboard park - we would watch and cheer - shop and help mom/dad learn what's cool and not cool.  Also, do vice versa, set some time aside for your daughter.  It is tough, with both of them stepping into their teen years, and wish you the best of luck!!!  Oh yeah, my son also likes my stories from when I was his age (and what a geek I was, and mistakes I made, and when I failed an English test), made me look more human to him.

By Kelly on 7/26/2009

We have 5 kids, the oldest is 7 (boy), the three girls are in the middle and our youngest is a 21 mos old boy.  We try to spend a little one on one with each of the kids each week.  Last week Don took our oldest to see transformers and the girls and baby and I stayed home and had a America's Got Talent Dance party in the living room.  Sometimes I will take just our son to the store when I need to grocery shop.  It is amazing how much my little man talks while riding in the car. Usually he is quiet and laid back, but I really learn about what is going on during these car rides.  I think it is important that both don and I spend time with the kids individually.  I want them to come to us when they get older and problems come up.

By Nikia on 7/26/2009

• carrie said:

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  Iam a single parent. I have twins girl and boy -12 years old. I am having a hard time bonding with him. The father is not in the picture. How can i make our mother son relationship better.He doesnt get into trouble at school or with the law. But he is always so angry.

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my son is now thirteen and when his father and i split he was seven and his father always mad me the bad person no matter what i did. he was always angry with me and u could see in his face that he just was not happy. ever. i talked to the school about a councler and the recomemded me to the "we care cener" i dont know if u have one of those near you, but counciling did my son wonders and he understands more about how life doesnt always work out the way we want it too. it did my son wonders and it helped our relationship because he relized that im not such a bad person like his dad is always telling him.

By Alyssa on 7/26/2009

My son (5 years old) have Tuesday "date nights" each week. My husband generally works late on Tuesday's so creating a special time for "me and mom" fits nicely into the schedule! We generally go out to dinner - we take turns picking restaurants - and then usually run some "mom and me" errands.

By Sara on 7/27/2009

My son and I share Tuesday night "date nights" while my husband works late. We generally go to a restaurant for dinner, alternating turns on picking the location, and then run some "mom and me" errands.

By Sara on 7/27/2009

My son and I are very close, he likes to just come up to me and give me a hug, he is 14.

By Amber on 7/28/2009

Both of my sons and I have a very special bond.  My youngest just went to college yesterday, he hugged me right in front of his new roommates.     When my mother was dying with cancer both them and my husband were right by my side to help. 

By KAREN on 7/28/2009

My three sons are men now (26, 23 and 21) and I honestly can't recall ever wondering how to bond with them. We have shared a loving, laughing relationship since the beginning (with a somewhat prickly teenage period, but that passes, I promise you). I think the biggest key (with children of either sex, as I also have one daughter and our relationship is great, but more difficult to maintain) is to let your children know you -- and to let them introduce themselves to you. If you really listen, let them vent without trying to solve their lives but just giving them your support, and learn to care about what moves them not enforce on them to care about what moves you, it's life, and life is a bonding experience with those you love.

By Terry on 7/28/2009

I have three sons 13, 11 and 7. They are all very different my 13 yr. old still likes me to lay in bed with him at night and talk. We talk about everything so I feel very lucky he still wants to keep me inform on things. My 11 yr. is more private but he still likes to sit on the couch next to me and share some mommy and me moments. My youngest loves to cuddle and demands my attention from his brothers. I  enjoy hiking, biking,  and wrestling with my boys and feel very blessed to have them in my life.

By Kim on 7/28/2009

• carrie said:

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  Iam a single parent. I have twins girl and boy -12 years old. I am having a hard time bonding with him. The father is not in the picture. How can i make our mother son relationship better.He doesnt get into trouble at school or with the law. But he is always so angry.

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You'd better move quick! Look 4 free sports. Karate, etc. Go every time the door is open at Church. If kids are tired they are too tired for trouble.

By michele on 7/28/2009

My son is now 16 and I think the bond is getting stronger. His temperment is alot like mine so we know how to read each other. I see my husband and my son's relationship turing into best friends as they enjoy the same type of activities. with my son and I, I feel we have learned to respect each other, listen to each other and enjoy hanging out with each other. I know this sounds wierd because he is 16 but I feel like he is turning into a man right infront of us and I love what I see. Anna

By Anna on 7/28/2009

I have an 8 and 5 year old and I've been bonding for them from day one.  I am the 'Team Mom' on all their teams and once a month I take one of them to Denny's to have breakfast with Mom (one on one).  It makes them feel special and very grown up.

By CRUZ on 7/28/2009

I think it is important to bond with all of your children whether they are boys or girls.  They grow up too quickly.  I have boy/girl twins who are entering 7th grade this year and I've noticed in the last year that they want to be more and more independent.  I have a close relationship with both of them and they know they can come to me if they need something or just need to talk about something.  I try to have a Mom/Son time and then Mom/daughter time so they each get my attention separately.  I enjoy going to get my my nails done with my daughter and going with my son on a walk to the park to go fishing.  They each get their "MOM Time".

By Jackie on 7/28/2009

• Fm said:

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  I began bonding with my sons when they were babies. Today, they are 50 and 48. One lives in Texas away from us, and we (I) receive phone calls at least  once a week, plus e-mails. They still ask my advice,opinions, and help with their children.

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Can you share any suggestions on how to get closer to an son that has moved away when he was 19, he is 26 now, his father died when he was 12, i never remarried. he has alot of resentment toward me.how can i have a relatioship with my son.? thanks  carol w

By KAROL on 7/28/2009

My son's great - getting A's and B's, participates in sports and band.  But now that he's 14 going on 15, it's a struggle to get him to converse with us.  Most times he's listening to his Zune or reading in the car, if we go out.  And friends always win out over going anywhere with us.  Any suggestions?

By alice on 7/28/2009

VOCALPOINT SHOULD DO SUGGESTION BOARD HOW TO BOND WITH YOUR OLDER CHILD.

By karol on 7/28/2009

I guess I've never worried about bonding with my boys.  We do family activities and when my husband does his volunteer work the boys and I do something special.  The boys don't have a problem hugging me in front of others (they are 12 & 8).  They also talk to me about what's going on, although sometimes I have to start the conversation.

By Peggy on 7/28/2009

Made me realize that my son Mike, now 32, and I bonded at birth too.   Although I think he got lost for awhile... he found his way in spite of himself and turned into a wonderful husband and father in Texas.  He is far from home but I get to see them twice a year or so- plus we keep in touch all the time.  One more year and I will be moving down there after retirement and will be even closer to my son and his family.   I have also bonded with my grandkids down there....   It is wonderfl being so in touch with my wonderful son!

By Paula on 7/28/2009

When my husband works evenings, my son and I have date night! We go to dinner and a movie. It is a great way to have one on one conversation over dinner. We always have a wonderful time. I hope when he is older he will look back on that as a fond memory!

By Yvonne on 7/28/2009