One of the hardest things to find the time for as dads is bonding time with our kids.

It’s tough, right?

We work all day, often coming home tired and ready to relax, and that’s when your son hits you up to throw around a football in the backyard. Or your daughter asks for some help with her homework. Or your wife hands you the baby so she can catch a break or make dinner.

It’s true that moms typically have more time for bonding with the kids, especially the ones that are still at home, or if they are homeschooled.

But that doesn’t make it any less important for us as dads to take the time to bond with our kids too.

In fact, our busy schedules make it more critical than ever that we set aside time to do this.

Our kids gain some significant input into their lives from us. And we have to make it a priority to instill such things as character and integrity, courtesy and respect, love and admiration, or their lives will be seriously lacking.

Bonding with your kids not only creates and builds these defining characteristics, and more, but it does some other incredibly powerful things in the lives of your kids.

Your kids will be less anxious about life

When you spend significant time bonding with your kids, they begin to release their worries and fears about life. They become more confident that they don’t have to be in control, that you are in control, and they relax. This is even more pronounced when they see you releasing your anxieties as well. By relying upon God’s strength yourself, you teach them to do the same.

Your kids will be more assertive in their interactions

Spending time bonding with your kids helps them develop an assertiveness and a confidence that they are unlikely to gain from anywhere else. They won’t be afraid to take part in conversations with others. They will handle themselves well in difficult circumstances. And they will learn how to influence others instead of being a follower.

Your kids will seek less inappropriate attention

Kids who bond well with their dads don’t act up as much as other kids do. I’ve noticed that those kids who don’t have a strong father presence in their lives seek attention from males in various ways, none of them good. Boys behave badly, simply because they don’t have proper boundaries. Girls begin to seek out inappropriate relationships with their boyfriends, often flaunting themselves to gain the attention they think they want.

The simple truth is that your kids want more of you, dads! They don’t really want you to buy them things, or take them places, as much as they want to be with you, no matter what is happening or where you are.

So take the time to spend some time bonding with your kids.

Do it with all of them together. Have a game night. Watch a movie. Build a campfire out back. Whatever it takes, do it.

But also take the time to bond one on one with your kids. Play on the floor with your toddler. Take your son out back and play catch or shoot a BBB gun. Take your daughter out for an ice cream cone. Spend some quality time bonding together.

You don’t have to solve all their problems during your time together. In fact, strive to keep it light and fun as much as possible. There will be plenty of time to deal with the issues you face as a family or parent. Make this time about your kids.

And finally, be fully present. Don’t check your phone every two minutes. Leave it inside or in the car if necessary. Turn off Sports Center and fully focus on your kids for a while.

They will eat it up!

And so will you!

Be deliberate, Dad!

What do you do to carve out time for bonding with your kids? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.