Family bonding time is the quality time you spend with your family, doing things you love.
Families who share everyday activities together form strong, emotional ties. Studies have found that families who enjoy group activities together share a stronger emotional bond as well as an ability to adapt well to situations as a family. This can also trigger feel good hormones, dopamine and oxytocin.
Our Story - Navigating Adolescence.
My boys have entered adolescence. In the blink of an eye, they are pre-teens. Holding hands and public displays of affection are a thing of the past. This also means image, looks and self esteem have become our parenting challenges. It is also a time when boundaries are being pushed and love tested. As our children grow into their teen years I feel a strong need to show love and affection in other ways, proving I will always be someone they can turn to.
Family Bonding Activities for You to Try
These are suitable for any age. Remember the focus is to spend time together. Pick one that appeals to your family’s specific interests.
- Movie night
- Volunteer
- Family dinner
- Picnic
- Board games
- Nature walks
- Camping in the garden
- Watching a sunset
- Birdwatching
- Reading together
Find what works for you and your family!
Top Tips
- Complete homework before participating.
- Turn off electronics – except of course the TV if its movie night.
- Don’t bring work home.
Building Children's Self Esteem
Of course, I did some googling. So in case you need some tips, our good old NHS advises the below:
- Listen
- Ask how they’re doing?
- Do an activity they enjoy and chat while doing it.
- Support
- Pay attention to their emotions and behaviour.
- Work through difficulties.
- Help them understand what they’re feeling and why.
- Stay Involved
- Show interest in their life and things important to them.
- Value who they are.
- This also makes it easier to spot problems and support them.
- Encourage
- Being active, creative, learning new things and being part of a team help connect us to others and help mental health.
- Encourage them to explore their interests.
- Value
- Listen and value what they say.
- No judgement.
- Consider how to help them process and work through their emotions constructively.
- Routine
- Structure, regular routines, healthy eating, and exercise.
- Sleep
You never know, these tips could probably help anyone, not just children.
Record Deep Bond Moments
People forget most of their childhood and are reminded by photos and videos. Most are about activities we did together, like going to the beach or hiking in the mountains. And although these are good things to do, they aren’t enforcing what is most important about our family relations during childhood:
Our deep bond moments!
Instead of posed group shots, photograph, or film deep bond one-on-one moments:
- When a parent or grandparent is giving a hug
- When siblings are showing affection
- Take pictures of them playing together
- Scenes where its obvious how much fun they’re having together
One-on-one is important, and a record of this helps both in the picture because they know they were part of the joy. If you can, you can feel the warmth and love if it’s obvious the kids were unaware they were displaying their closeness. A picture like this has amazing power, especially for the younger brother.
This reminds him, like when he is a teen struggling with identity issues that he always had a strong bond with his big brother.
Why is this Important?
These bonds are important because they dampen the impact of life setbacks and help us heal quickly from hurt. Keep recording these moments when they’re teenagers, they need to be reminded that you loved them through this difficult part of life.
Try to capture those moments of true connection and joy. As they grow older, particularly during the tough teen years, periodically show them to remind them of the deep relationships and safety that they have at home.
If you didn’t record these moments when your kids were younger…
That’s OK. You can reminisce about those times and tell them what happened. Tell them how you used to chase them around the house like a lion. Tell them how you used to play football with them in the back garden. Use the power of oral stories.
You may already have these types of photos and videos, but they are lost among the flood of other pictures.
Find them and put them into a book or album or mark them in some way.
The most important takeaway is that you want to find ways like photos, videos or storytelling to remind them of the close relationships they had surrounding them as they grew up.
More like this
I love photographing these moments most of all!
I would love to be invited to capture you content and relaxed, surrounded by those you love.
Why is Photography Important?
I’ve read that children feel safe, welcome, seen and loved if there are images of themselves in the family home. I love this idea and think this is something every family needs to know.
You see stories, memories and keepsakes are important. Life is short. Our humanity is what makes us beautiful. The light will never look or be seen the same again and neither will we.
We will never have this moment again.
So, let’s capture it!
If you would like to chat about anything we do please get in touch using the messenger pop up on this website!
Hi,
I’m Lesley-Anne, also known as LAL.
Our humanity is what makes us beautiful.
The light will never look the same or be seen the same again and neither will we.
We will never have this moment again.
So, let’s capture it!
Why Choose Me, as your Family Photographer
It’s your story and your legacy. It’s how I see your story through my lens.
I am one of a handful of photographers in my area and in the UK that showcase honest, authentic, everyday moments. This is my speciality!
I am noticing delicate, awe-inspiring moments and connection. I am seeing these with every family I am lucky enough to spend time with.
I want to share what I see with you.
I want you to fall in love with your family time and time again!