15 fool-proof ways to build a strong bond with your children

There are only 940 Saturdays between your child's birthday and the day he/she turns 18.

Now, that's a hard pill to swallow. We think we have so much time with our kids, but we promise you it'll be over in the blink of an eye. You'll look at them blowing out their 18th birthday candles and wonder where did those young years go?

And in this day and age, spending quality bonding time with your children is difficult, as work, or just general life, gets in the way.

So, to really make a difference, here are 15 fool-proof ways to bond with your kid:

1. Play games together

Whether it's Minecraft, Mario Cart or Pokemon Go, turn your child's screen time into a bonding experience by showing an interest in their favourite hobby.

2. If you have a girl, do make-up together

You might end up looking like The Grinch at Christmas, but she'll get a laugh out of it, and so will you.

3. Dinner talk

It can be hard to get everyone together to eat as a family but when you do, get rid of all tech for a half hour and make a point of talking about anything.

4. Walk to school

You'd be surprised how much you can talk about when you're walking to school together. You can chat without anything distracting you, and it's also been proven to reduce a child's stress levels.

5. Read

Whether it's before bedtime or in the doctor's office, reading together can be a great bonding exercise, and you'll begin to realise what stories your kids are interested in.

6. Listen to music together

Get some major brownie points by blasting on their favourite song in the car – just don't do some cringe mom-dance, because if you do, the brownie points will be completely wiped off the board.

7. LAUGH

Just laugh together. Whether it's telling silly jokes or having a water fight during summer, there's nothing better than laughing with your children.

8. Bake a cake

Baking and cooking are one of the most popular bonding exercises. Yes, it may take you half-a-day to bake 12 cupcakes, but he/she'll be delighted with them and glad you asked her to do it.

9. Show affection

Kiss each other goodbye and hug them when they walk through the door. Just not in front of their friends when they're older… that's a definite no-no.

10. Take silly pictures

You'll be surprised how much of a laugh taking some silly pictures is. Kids can't resist pulling funny faces, and when they see their mum doing it, it'll crack them up.

11. Go old-school with board games

Monopoly, Cluedo… even Snakes and Ladders. It'll improve their social skills, their communication and will give them a sense of fair play. 

12. Use one of those 940 Saturdays to have a lie-in together

We know being a parent isn't easy and sometimes you have to sacrifice your Saturday mornings to organise or to bring the kids to a party – but take one weekend morning just to lounge around a bit. Your kids will love you for it.

13. When he/she gets older, go for walks

Whether it's a walk around the park or by the sea, just walk and talk. You'll be surprised how much you can get out of them this way. Plus, it's super relaxing after a long week.

14. Bring THEM shopping

By bringing them shopping as kids and asking what clothes they like, it's allowing you to get a sense of your child's personal style. If your daughter isn't exactly a girly-girl but you still buy her pink dresses, she'll have major respect for you when she can pick something she likes.

15. Invite their friends around

We know this might not be quality bonding time, but your child's friends are important to them and having them over for an hour or two at the weekend will show trust and love.