Bonding Activities for Fathers and Sons Following a Divorce
Many newly-single fathers are glad to have won visitation rights with their children, but when that first visit time arrives, they may well be at a loss for what to do while they are with their child.
You want something that both of you can enjoy together and something that will make the most of the limited time you have together.
Besides the fun involved, there's also a large body of research that shows that boys who spend quality time with their fathers grow up to be more productive citizens than those who don't.
There are certain things that only you, his father, can teach him and a place in his heart meant just for you.
It's no secret that many fathers have difficulty bonding with their children.
These feelings are throw-backs to the time when dads worked outside the home and took no interest in raising the children.
Fathers can find themselves not even knowing what to say to their sons and having no clear idea of what their children would enjoy doing.
The answer is to ask your son what he'd like to do.
You can still veto his suggestions, like the idea that you always need to go out and buy him things, but you can also get ideas of what he wants to do.
Chances are that if you're a little shy with him, he feels the same way about you.
Without Mom there to intercede, it can initially be a little uncomfortable.
However, this will pass.
Weather-appropriate outdoor activities are a joyful way for fathers and sons to bond.
Whether it's a camping trip, a football game, or just planting a garden together, these can be times when you can develop closer relationships with each other.
If your son is a Cub or Boy Scout, you can use the meetings and activities provided by these organizations to help you both develop more confidence, self-esteem, and strong personal values.
You can even volunteer to work as your son's scoutmaster which will mean that not only will you and your son develop common interests, but you'll also have mutual friends.
Maybe you or your son aren't into outdoor activities.
There are still plenty of ways for you to spend quality time together and bond.
Mini-field trips, such as to the zoo, the science center, a concert, or a museum can be just as much fun.
Of course, you don't always have to be doing something special.
You can enjoy a baseball game on TV while sharing a bowl of popcorn or help with the tasks involved with raising children, such as shopping for clothes, doing homework, and practicing music lessons.
Time spent together will be very special, no matter what you end up doing.
You want something that both of you can enjoy together and something that will make the most of the limited time you have together.
Besides the fun involved, there's also a large body of research that shows that boys who spend quality time with their fathers grow up to be more productive citizens than those who don't.
There are certain things that only you, his father, can teach him and a place in his heart meant just for you.
It's no secret that many fathers have difficulty bonding with their children.
These feelings are throw-backs to the time when dads worked outside the home and took no interest in raising the children.
Fathers can find themselves not even knowing what to say to their sons and having no clear idea of what their children would enjoy doing.
The answer is to ask your son what he'd like to do.
You can still veto his suggestions, like the idea that you always need to go out and buy him things, but you can also get ideas of what he wants to do.
Chances are that if you're a little shy with him, he feels the same way about you.
Without Mom there to intercede, it can initially be a little uncomfortable.
However, this will pass.
Weather-appropriate outdoor activities are a joyful way for fathers and sons to bond.
Whether it's a camping trip, a football game, or just planting a garden together, these can be times when you can develop closer relationships with each other.
If your son is a Cub or Boy Scout, you can use the meetings and activities provided by these organizations to help you both develop more confidence, self-esteem, and strong personal values.
You can even volunteer to work as your son's scoutmaster which will mean that not only will you and your son develop common interests, but you'll also have mutual friends.
Maybe you or your son aren't into outdoor activities.
There are still plenty of ways for you to spend quality time together and bond.
Mini-field trips, such as to the zoo, the science center, a concert, or a museum can be just as much fun.
Of course, you don't always have to be doing something special.
You can enjoy a baseball game on TV while sharing a bowl of popcorn or help with the tasks involved with raising children, such as shopping for clothes, doing homework, and practicing music lessons.
Time spent together will be very special, no matter what you end up doing.
