Use Every Opportunity to Bond with Your Child

We are raising a grandchild, she is now 3 years old. She is being raised as an only child and sometimes thinks she is the only child in the universe. My husband and I both work full time. We have from day one, let our child be a part of our work life, chores and just about anything around the house. We are very close to her and feel that hopefully if she has a good foundation and a good relationship with us, it will help her conquer the big world later on in life.

Sometimes, I have to go back to being 3, tea parties, birthday parties, and play dates can sometimes be a struggle because she is an only child. Although, I am proud of her outspokenness, she tends to take charge of other children, whatever the occasion, some children see this as bossy and aggressive and steer clear of her. She is a gentle soul, who just wants everyone to be involved. I don't want her behavior interpreted as bullying ,She is a sweet child.

On our nephew's last birthday party, I started something about two months in advance. She and I made a sponge bob pinata together. She especially like the slapping on the paper mache, which we made from flour, sugar and water. As each layer was slapped on she would express her excitement about the party and how good she felt about making this thing that all the kids would enjoy. After weeks of drying, the final paint job and the sponge bob face went on the yellow square box. She was so proud of it.

The party was nice, it helped her because the excitement was not pent up for weeks before the party, she played a more active role as a child at the party, enjoyed herself and had a good time being 3. In fact, I did not see Miss bossy, Kabossi all day long.

So what worked for me was gradually getting that excitement out, she has a strong personality and although I like to see that in her, I don't want other kids to shy away from her either. That just hurts her feelings. I found that using this technique with her helps in other ways also.

She is very active with me in planting my flower gardens and is more appreciative of them now, especially if we happen to pick some for grandma, she will proudly say they came from her and mom's garden. When we pull vegetables to can or freeze and cook later with them she recalls the planting, weeding and watering with excitement. She makes it all so much more fun, brings out the kid in me.