Last summer, my son wanted to go to a camp across the country with some of his friends. He was going to be gone for a week for the very first time. The bus was leaving from Tampa, so we flew there together, just the two of us. The night before he left, I sat on the floor next to his bed, and we started talking. After sharing stories and laughing a lot, it felt like it was getting late. I couldn’t believe it when I checked the time—it was 3 a.m.
I went to bed exhausted, but I couldn’t have been more content. My son and I had a beautiful moment. It’s one of those moments I’ll probably remember for the rest of my life. We need moments like that with our sons to build deeper relationships with them. That and other father-son bonding ideas will help you grow closer. Here are 5 beautiful moments dads and sons should share.
1. Hanging Out/Talking All Night
Maybe you and your son aren’t talkers. You don’t have to talk all night, but hang out late. It’s out of the ordinary and something he’ll remember. Do a movie marathon until morning or take him to an all-night diner at 2 a.m. I guarantee it’ll be a story he tells his friends.
2. Teaching Something New
There’s a lot you have to teach him. Make a list of all of the things you think he needs to know. Put the list in front of him and ask what he’d like to learn. Cover those first. I’ll never forget my dad letting me drive for the first time and guiding me through it. Your son will remember similar things about you.
3. Learning Together
Your son doesn’t expect you to know everything. In fact, it’s good to let him know that you don’t. If there’s a problem with the house or car, and you don’t know the answer, ask him to help you research it. Watch YouTube videos together to figure it out and then fix it together. Or at least, attempt to fix it together. A failure could turn into a whole different kind of fun story that he shares years from now with his kids.
4. Going On a Trip
When my son was 7, I surprised him with a trip to the city where I grew up and tickets to his first baseball game. It was over seven years ago now, and he still talks about it. There’s something special about just the two of you getting away. It creates opportunities to share an experience you both enjoy. Often, it leads to conversations you wouldn’t normally have, like the one my son and I had before his camp trip.
5. Sunrise, Sunset, Stargazing
We were on a camping trip with a group of families this past fall. As we were looking at the stars, one of the other dads said, “I wonder how much more humble we would all be if there wasn’t light pollution and we could see more stars and have more understanding of the massive universe we’re a part of.” We can have profound thoughts when we look at the sky. Maybe it’s the beauty or the pure size of what we are looking at that brings our lives into perspective. Having these moments with our sons can open the door to discussing who we are, our purpose on this earth, and, potentially, who created it all.
For a deeper discussion of the things a son needs relationally from his dad, check out this All Pro Dad podcast episode.
Sound off: What are some other father-son bonding ideas?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What is one thing you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the chance?”