Hello everybody! We are starting a series of blogs called Back to the Basics. Parenting is complicated as it is, so our focus is to keep our tips and tricks as simple as can be. We are excited to get back to the basics of parenting and hope you are too! Today we are going to list simple things you can do to bond with your kids. Our culture sometimes exaggerates on how we should bond with our kids. No, we don’t always need to take them to an amusement park or to the movies to spend time with them. Don’t get us wrong, those are both awesome things to do with your kids but it doesn’t have to be the “only” way we can bond with our kids. Below is a list of simple things you can do with your kids!

• Color/Paint a picture and display it on the fridge
• Sing a new song
• Do a puzzle and keep it out for everyone to see
• Go on a walk
• Bake cookies
• Read a book….or five
• Play dress-up
• Match socks
• Shovel snow/rake leaves/pick up sticks
• Create using Play-Dough

One of our favorite sayings at before5 is “Kids need your presence not your presents.” It’s okay if you can’t spend hours each day playing with your kids. But when you are with them, be with them. These activities are so simple yet so powerful. We challenge you to do one thing on this list today with your kids! Happy Parenting!