Bonding - Houston,TX

Send letters every day. Include pages he/she can color, stickers, etc. Include pictures of yourself every so often. Do you see your child, at all? If so, do what your child likes. Maybe, that's coloring, cars, blocks. Whatever they like, get down on the ground and do that with them. Take them on walks and explore the outdoors. Getting outside and being in nature, is a great bonding experience. Find a children's book you like. Make sure you are the only person in your child's life that has that book. Read it to them when you see them. It will be something just the two of you have.

If you have court allowed visitation, take advantage of it at every opportunity and spend as much time as you're allowed with your child. Make it quality time even if it's not a lot of time. Take pictures together and make photo albums... one for your child and a duplicate for you so that you share the same exact photos and can talk about them and what you did together over the phone. Write letters daily in a journal for your child to keep for when s/he is older. Send letters and make phone calls as often as you can. Tell your child you love him/her every time you talk and see each other. Do normal things together, like coloring and reading and taking walks. Talk about silly things like favorite colors, favorite animals, favorite foods and what you have in common.

I'm sorry you're so far apart.

In addition to what Bug said, maybe record yourself reading a favorite children's book so your child will be able to listen to you reading when you're away from each other.

dont let those factors get in your way. my son has a bond with his family memebers who visit that live very very far away...and out of state. one family member is truly mentaly ill and he adores the person. just have fun and dont let a few obsticals get in your way or let you think you cant have a bond.

Updated

call him and read him a bed time story. or skype!

Don't be discouraged. Supply pictures and stories. Kids do absorb this and understand love even when it is not right in their face. It will all be okay girl.

DH

Life deals us hard things and I congratulate you on your desire to have a connection with your child even though you are struggling. This takes so much courage. Do everything you can to get well and take care of yourself. All of the previous suggestions are good about making the time meaningful and fun. Just getting down on their level and paying attention to what they are in to and also introducing them to things that are meaningful to you. Be vulnerable and real. As your child grows always tell them that you are emotionally there for them even if you are not always there physically. That you love them and want what's best for them. Peace to you and your family.