Looking for ways you can spend extra quality time with a special, and potentially strong-willed, young lady in your life? Check out these ideas for a fun & fabulous Mommy & Daughter Date.
Today is National Daughter’s Day! I happen to be the proud mommy of a sweet, caring, energetic &, spit-fiery little girl named Aubrey Grace. Since the day she was born she’s kept us on our toes and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Having a daughter has been one of the most beautiful, yet challenging, experiences in my life. There are days that I feel I am her the queen of her whole world and then there are days I must be the dragon of her kingdom since we can’t seem to stop fighting.
Alas, I have found that increasing the amount of time I spend with her, without distraction and without agenda, improves our relationship almost immediately.
Why Spending Quality Time With Your Daughter Is So Important
You are your daughter’s safe space. This means that she is probably perfectly comfortable being her wild and crazy often times, difficult, self for you while she’s a perfect angel for everyone else. Sound familiar? While this is frustrating it also means that she craves your attention and she will often do anything to get it. By being proactive, and providing positive attention, we can help our daughters regulate their emotions and improve behavior without a constant battle.
The Science
Not only is quality time helpful in improving your daughter’s behavior, it is crucial to helping them build resilience and setting them up for success as adults. Children who have a positive, stable relationship with a trusted, caring adult are at a stronger advantage than those that don’t. They are less likely to engage in risky behaviors as they get older, and as a result, tend to be healthier individuals both mentally and physically.
Other Benefits Of Quality Time With Kids:
- Improved social skills
- Increased self confidence
- Improved emotional development
- Lessened stress levels
- Stronger bond w/ loved one
The Sentiment
You are your daughter’s first, and often biggest, role model. From how you carry yourself to how you speak to her and others, she will learn so much just from being in your presence. You have the opportunity to make that a very positive experience and it can easily be done through intentionally spending time with her.
Check Out These 10 Must-Read Quotes For New Moms!
How To Carve Out 1:1 Time
We all know that carving out that intentional 1:1 time with our children can be a challenge; life is busy. Work, house chores & even other family members are constantly vying for our attention. Getting a minute to ourselves is a luxury, at times, so where do we find it for our girl? Here is how I make 1:1 time a priority:
Put It On The Calendar
I personally live by my planner, or should I say, planners. Our family’s activities are laid out in my digital planner on my iPad, on a large wall calendar in our kitchen and even in my google calendar for work. It might seem like a lot but this has helped me not to overbook myself for an event when I am supposed to be spending time with Aubrey.
Depending on what we have going on, I make it a point to schedule at least one or two full day Mommy & Daughter dates per month. I also try to plan for a few shorter activities as well. This is made a bit easier by the fact that she is an only child so I certainly understand if this isn’t easily attainable. Whatever you decide, put it on the calendar. It will keep you in check and help build anticipation as you remind her of how many sleeps until your date.
Invite Her To Join You In Your Activity
Need to squeeze in a work out or make dinner for the rest of the family? Try inviting your daughter to do those things with you. She will love being a part of what you are doing and it is a great opportunity to teach her a new skill or model healthy habits too.
Set A Timer For 10 Minutes Everyday
The quantity of time a child spends with their mom is surely important but, often, we can’t schedule a full outing or hour long activity every day. What we can do, is plan for 10 minutes. Set some ground rules by letting your daughter know :
- She gets to choose the activity.
- Mommy will not allow the time to be interrupted, except for emergencies.
- When the timer is done; the activity is done.
Big feelings are to be expected at the end of any time you spend with your daughter. She will not want it to stop, or leave your presence, and that is ok. The most important thing you can do in this situation is to validate her emotions, be empathetic, build anticipation for next time and hold your boundary that the activity is over.
This Is An Excellent Course To Help You Navigate Your Daughter’s Big Feelings!
The Mommy & Daughter Date List
At-Home Mommy & Daughter Date Ideas
- Play Hide & Seek or Tag
- Do Science Experiments
- Play with Squishy Toys
- Cuddle & Read Books w/o a time limit
- Draw or Paint
- Decorate The driveway With chalk
- Have a sleepover in her room
- Have an impromptu dance party
- Let her do your hair & makeup
- Play In The Backyard
- Break Out The Barbies
- Have A Long, Uninterrupted Conversation
- Write A Story Together
- Color
- Have A Tea Party
- Practice A New Language
- Bake Together
- Make Smores
- Pancake Art Challenge
- Teach Her A New Skill
- Start A Garden
- Browse your family photo albums and tell her stories from your past.
- Teach Her A Family Recipe
- Play A Board Game
- Have A Water Fight
Mommy & Daughter Date Outings
- Take A Class Together
- Visit An Indoor Waterpark
- Go Shopping
- Take A Trip
- Play Mini Golf
- Visit A Petting Zoo or Local Farm
- See Disney On Ice
- Go To The Aquarium
- Visit A Science Center
- Go To A Play
- Ride Bikes
- Go Out For Brunch
- Go To The Beach
- Go Out For Ice Cream
- Take a walk
- Get Mani/Pedis
- Go To The Zoo
- Visit a bookstore or library
- Have a picnic
- Playground
- Farmer’s Market
- Go Wherever She Wants
- Attend A Cultural Event
- Volunteer Together
- Have a Photo Scavenger Hunt
Final Thoughts
Right now, you are your girl’s whole world and, as she becomes a teen, she may desire to be out with friends instead having dates with mom. While it can be difficult to make this time a priority, the reward of seeing your daughter’s smile as she realizes she has your full attention is so much greater than any challenge of scheduling. Make the sacrifice and soak up this special time; they are only little for so long!
What’s your next date with your daughter going to be? Let me know in the comments!
Leave a Reply