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If you have a daughter, what are some of your favorite fun things to do together? ”

Asked by Nataly on 31st October 2007

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I have two girls who are only 18 months apart, and they are very close. The 3 year old goes to bed before the 5 year old, so they each get to snuggle with me while we read our bedtime stories. We always read one or two books, and then turn off the lights and I tell them "The Unicorn Story." It is a story I made up about two princesses who, surprise, have the same names as the girls and live in a kingdom of the same name as our town. The story is different every time, and I usually incorporate some kind of message about something that happened with us that day. They love it, and I've started writing down some of the stories I can remember.

Flag as inappropriate by Niki D on 18th March 2008
my 3 year old loves movies and mary poppins is one of her favorites. each family member is someone from the movie. i am mary poppins. my husband and i decided to take her to see mary poppins on broadway. it was one of the best days we spent together. she was so happy and excited. she took it all in, from the train, to the walk to the theater. she's so much fun! she still talks about it. i think we are going to take her to see the little mermaid next.

Flag as inappropriate by mimi416 on 5th November 2007
My oldest (she's almost 22) lives in another city now. We communicate by email a lot, and we talk on the phone now and then. I just really, really like her, and I get the impression she feels much the same way about me! A welcome relief after three very difficult teenage years. When she's in town, we go for walks and talk.

My youngest (she's 14), and I spend a lot of time hanging out and talking. Yesterday at dinner, we read an act from Julius Caesar. (Her suggestion!) Most evenings we go for a walk. We cook together. She loves to shop, so we window shop together. (Who can afford to buy as fast as a fashionista 14-year-old can crave more? Even a 14-year-old who's responsible to buy a certain amount of her own clothes? Not me!) But we have fun, anyway.

Oh! And when my husband is out of town, she loves to have a slumber party in mom's bed. We break out a couple of books, we might have a manicure, we talk. And I always need the light out before she does!

Flag as inappropriate by MaryP on 2nd November 2007
Thanks :) It sounds like you have already established a good relationship. Growing up, I had one parent who was kind and patient, and another who was kind of snarky-- guess which one I fought with all the time. And guess which one I pattern my own parenting after. My experience led me to believe that it is the adult who sets the tone in the relationship. Some of my friends disagree with me, but they are without fail the ones who have unpleasant relationships with their kids. And their spouses. There are basic ground rules for me: think before speaking-- if you don't say it, it isn't said--is it really something that needs to be said? Will saying it help or hurt? Another one is stay out of her head. I am amazed when people see their kids have done something bad, they ask "why did you do that!?" when the only possible answer is: "It seemed like a good idea at the time." (this can be applied to adults, too). Kids know right from wrong. If they do something and the adult says, " he's just doing that for attention." and dismisses it, well, chances are the child does need attention. But not at that moment-- that child needs consideration and patience and love. That's what it all boils down to: love. "To be loved, be loveable". Be approachable. Be fair. Be compassionate. And be nice.

Flag as inappropriate by KatieK on 1st November 2007
Wow Katie! that sounds amazingly idyllic. My daughter is only 3, but we cook together (she has a step stool for the counter) she has learned to crack eggs, so is very impressed with herself. She gets to mix things in the pot with the wooden spoon.. and whatever things I can think of to keep her involved without hurting herself or me! we do alot of baths together; we take walks; we read alot in the evening and make up stories at bedtime. In the evening we spend some time describing to each other our respective days, because I really do want to try to keep our communication open and a habit so that it stays that way as she gets older. we run; we climb; I basically try to wrap her into everything I do and try to respond when she has a silly idea for something she likes and make sure I let her 'do it herself' We also spend time making thank you cards; birthday cards etc for friends and family. Any tips on keeping her close as yours as she grows up? katie?

Flag as inappropriate by dancinmama on 1st November 2007
Everything. We are very close. We have a horse, so going to ride is a big thing. The road there is 45 minutes each way. We listen to podcasts or music, talk about everything and laugh a lot. When she comes home from mqschool every day we have air-popped popcorn together and watch something stupid on TV for about 45 minutes before she starts her homework and I edit. We like to take walking adventures through the city (Istanbul is 1500 years old), and take turns telling some made up story as we go along. She likes to take me with her when she shops, because I have an uncanny knack for finding things she has missed that she ends up loving. Sometimes we do manicures and pedicures. Everynight before we go to bed she comes in to my bedroom and lies on the bed with me and provokes me into being very silly-- I think it is her way of getting rid of that last bit of energy before sleep.

Flag as inappropriate by KatieK on 1st November 2007