Girls can be a lot.Between mood swings, drama at school, and a busy schedule, it can be hard to connect with your daughter.Setting aside time for parent-daughter bonding is a way to strengthen your bond.Show your daughter you respect her, communicate clearly and honestly, and deal with arguments in a calm, open manner.
Step 1: It's a good idea to eat meals together.
Parent-teen bonding can be helped by regular family meals.Try to have a few dinners a week.Try cooking her favorite foods to increase her enthusiasm.It can be fun to cook meals together.Try making your own pizzas.Everyone should put their phones away for dinner.A phone can distract you in the way of connection.
Step 2: You can find an activity that both of you enjoy.
You can strengthen your connection by finding an activity that sparks your interest.It will give you something to talk about if you spend some quality one-on-one time participating in your chosen activity.You can ride a horse with your daughter once a week.If you are both sporty, join a fitness class.
Step 3: Do chores together.
It is possible to have meaningful conversations while doing chores together.When your teen is washing dishes or raking leaves, she may feel more at ease.
Step 4: Establish traditions on a weekly basis.
Between school, extracurriculars, and a busy social life, finding time to spend with your daughter might be hard.It is important for a strong connection to have a few weekly traditions.You can take a family trip to the mall for frozen yogurt every Wednesday or run with your daughter on Sunday mornings.You could take her to school on a weekly basis.Use this time to talk.During these parent-daughter dates, your daughter may open up to you.
Step 5: It is your responsibility to show you trust her.
Teenagers value trust a lot.Asking her for advice and letting her take charge of an event, errand, or activity is a way to show your daughter you trust her.If your daughter likes to cook, you could let her handle some of the baking for your annual Christmas party.For the annual family vacation, get your daughter's advice on an issue at work or a destination.
Step 6: There are more positive interactions than there are negative ones.
Make sure there are five positive interactions for every negative one.A pat on the back or a kind word can be positive interactions.Make up for a negative interaction with presents.Occasional gifts are great, but only if you give kind words and actions.
Step 7: She has opinions and dreams.
You might not agree with what your teen is thinking.That is normal.It is important to show your daughter that you support her.She can learn from her mistakes.She will build high self esteem if she respects her feelings, thoughts, and ideas.Her feelings seem insignificant to her, so don't discount or degrade them.Problems at school are real and significant to her.Listening without judgement will help you connect.
Step 8: Say goodbye and hello.
When your teen comes in and you say goodbye, it may help build a more positive relationship.If a goodbye hug or kiss will make her look bad in front of her friends, save it for later.
Step 9: She should be welcoming her friends.
Be friendly when they show up.Give them water or snacks.Being respectful of your daughter's friends shows you respect her, even if you aren't a fan of them.Don't forbid your daughter to see her friends if you think they're going the wrong way.It probably won't work.Let her know about your concerns in a calm manner.
Step 10: Don't micromanage your child.
Let your daughter make her own decisions.She could be resentful if she gets on her back about trivial matters.If your daughter wants to cut her hair, don't say things like "You should really think before you make that decision" or "That's probably not a good idea."
Step 11: You can make yourself available to talk.
If she feels like you are trying to get information out of her, she might shut down.Wait for her to come to you, then let her know that you are available.If she starts the conversation, you will have a better chance of connecting.You can say things like, "I'll be in the kitchen if you need me" or " I'm running to the store, but give me a call" when your daughter wants to talk.Whenever you can, make her your priority.It's a good time to bond late night.If your daughter is late for her homework, it's a good idea to stay up with her.
Step 12: Ask questions that are open-ended.
When you want to have a great conversation with your daughter, ask open-ended questions.You could ask, for example, "What's your favorite part of being in the band?" or "Can you explain how you made that pottery piece?"
Step 13: If you are in the same mood, try to connect.
It will be hard to make a connection if your daughter is quiet and upset and you are hyper from a crazy day at the office.Keep an eye on your daughter's mood.It is a good time to connect when you feel like you are on the same wavelength.
Step 14: Don't make your daughter accept your help.
Listening is the most important thing you can do when your daughter is talking to you.Don't force her to take your help.Do you want to hear what I have to say?I'm here if you need me.
Step 15: For a better relationship, be genuine.
Don't try to be like your daughter's friends.You don't need to be like her in order to connect.You should be true to yourself.
Step 16: Don't judge your teen on his behavior.
Being a teenage girl is hard.There is a lot of pressure to act in a certain way and achieve certain goals.Try to see the situation from your daughter's perspective when she blows up at you.It will help keep you cool.It must not be easy to deal with a rocky friendship at school.That is probably why she is so angry today.
Step 17: Before addressing bad behavior, reach out to your daughter.
Don't scold your daughter if she snuck into the house an hour after her curfew.Give her a chance to explain how she is doing.You could say that you are an hour late.Is everything okay?Let me know what is happening.
Step 18: Instead of lecturing, have a two-way conversation.
Every conversation should be a two-way street.It's easy to go into lecture mode during an argument, but don't dominate the conversation.If you can show her that you respect her even when you don't agree, she's more likely to come to you for help in the future.Give your daughter time to talk.Listen to her answers and ask for her opinions.Say phrases like "I see" or "yes" to show you are paying attention.
Step 19: Don't accuse her.
Don't blame your daughter during arguments.There is no better way to make your daughter defensive than with an accusation.To shift the focus to your feelings, use "I" statements.You could say, "I feel hurt when you don't respect my rules."
Step 20: Give your daughter a chance to solve a problem.
Let her think of possible solutions if the two of you are having a disagreement.It will show her that you care about her.Take your teen's input into account and come up with a solution that suits both of you.Don't hold onto the solution you like best.
Step 21: Don't let your emotions get the best of you.
Take a few deep breaths if you feel like you're getting too heated.If you can't control your emotions, revisit the conversation later.
Step 22: Explain the rules.
She won't get the "Because I said so" explanation anymore.Even though boundaries are important for teens, you need to explain them in an honest way.If your teen is complaining about not being able to stay out past ten on a school night, you might tell her you want to make sure she is well rested.You will be exhausted for the rest of the week if you stay out late.If your daughter feels like she has more input, you can make some rules with her.It makes it more likely that she'll follow these rules because you value her judgement.
Step 23: Get professional help if you notice behavioral changes.
If you notice a big change in your daughter's behavior or mood, you should check to make sure everything is okay.Seek professional help if your daughter is having a hard time.