Do you ever remember special things you did with your mother? As my daughter grows, I want to create memories she'll treasure for her lifetime. I came up with a list of things I think are important and fun, both to your relationship and your daughter's faith.
1. Take a picture of your daughter in your wedding dress. What little girl doesn't like to play dress up? When she has her own wedding, how precious will this picture be on display?
2. Sing a song. As a small child, my little girl loves to sing. She begs me to sing songs one more time. Even as an adult, I still love singing with my mother. It doesn't matter if you have a great voice or not, your daughter will just love that your singing together. My daughter's favorite songs are ones from Sunday School, especially, “God's not dead, No, He is alive.”
3. Pedicures. There's something relaxing about painting your toenails. It's a great creative outlet. Let your daughter pick her favorite color and take turns painting each other's nails. This can be a great time to tell the story of how Jesus washed the disciples feet and how we are to serve one another.
4. Pray out loud. Children learn from their parents. Make sure your daughter hear's your prayers. They will make her feel safe and allow her to see how God works through our prayers. Make praying a natural and every day part of her life and teach her to talk to Jesus in all situations.
5. Cook with your daughter. It doesn't matter how old your daughter is, she can help you cook. At one and two years old, I would measure out the ingredients and help her dump them into the bowl. As an adult, I love to cook with my mother. I need to schedule another doughnut making session.
6. Garden with your daughter. Gardening is a wonderful bonding time with your kids. What kid doesn't like to dig in the dirt? My children love to help plant and harvest the vegetables. Even if you live in the city or don't have a garden, grow a container of strawberries or tomatoes on your porch. Kids love to eat what they help grow.
7. Hold her hand. Sometimes, we don't need to say or do anything, other than simply taking someones hand as you walk or sit.
8. Write your daughter a letter. In my baby book are letters my mother wrote to me when I was a baby and toddler. I love reading these, getting a glimpse into the person I was before I can remember. I write a letter to each of my children on their birthdays. They aren't old enough to read them, but someday they will be. One mother I spoke to wrote her children a letter when they were babies and gave it to them when they turned eighteen.
I plan on writing my children a letter every year. I write about what their doing, what they've accomplished this year, and my hopes and dreams for them. If something were to happen to me, they would always have these letters.
Even if your daughter is grown, think how much she'd like to read how proud you are of her. Take this time to pour out your feelings and love.
9. Read to your daughter. Even after I learned to read, my mother would read to me every night at bedtime. As I got older, we'd read a chapter each night and made our way through the entire Little House on the Prairie books. Can you tell it influenced me much? 🙂
There are so many wonderful things we can do with our daughters. What are some of your favorite memories or traditions? Share with us a special memory you have of your mother or daughter.
This post is featured on The Better Mom Monday Link-Up and The Prairie Homestead.
Want to grow a year’s worth of food?
Get my FREE planting chart!
Love these! It makes me even more eager to go pick up my daughter from college this week. 🙂
Thanks, Erica. There’s nothing like mommy daughter time, no matter how old or young we are. Have a great time with your daughter!
Visiting your blog for the first time from The Better Mom. What a great post. I love your ideas. The wedding dress idea was my favorite. 🙂 I will be back to visit again! Have a great day!
Hi, Shari. I’m so glad you stopped by. I was partial to the wedding dress idea too. 🙂 It’s why I put it first. I’d love to see pictures if you do it.
Great ideas, Melissa! I definitely need to do the wedding dress one!! Most of the others we already do, but we haven’t started our garden yet- looking forward to doing that with her.
At Christmas, I gave her a “mommy and me” journal. Now we write “letter” entries in it and send it back and forth between each other! It is so special!
Hi, Becky. I like the “mommy and me” journal. When my daughter is old enough to write and read we’ll have to start one. Thanks!
Great! Ideas! Very cute cutie in the wedding dress. I need to write these down as my girls grow so I can do them!
Thanks, Jentry. The list will be here anytime you need to reference it. 🙂
What a wonderful list of ideas! I wish I had thought of the wedding dress one when my daughter was little. Your daughter looks adorable. 🙂 I have one to add to your list. Read with your daughter, even when she gets old enough to read to herself. Blessings to you and your daughter.
Shelly, thanks for that one! I can’t believe I didn’t put it on there. We read together every night. I remember my mother reading to me before bed, a chapter a night, we made our way through all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. What was your daughter’s favorite?
[…] 3. 8 Things Every Mom Should Do With Her Daughter […]
My daughter wore my wedding dress at her wedding. It had to be let out in places and shortened, but she looked adorable. My great granddaughter and I love to cook together. I wrote a story about an episode of making pecan brittle, how when I lost a measuring utensil she knew where to find it. She was two then. She’s just starting to read and write, and makes notes for me and I make them for her. She recognizes her name when it is written.
Eyrline, I love that your daughter wore your wedding dress. And cooking with children is such a delight and something I think boys and girls should learn. She will cherish your notes when she gets older, as you do hers now. Thanks for sharing.