8 Fun Mother-Daughter Dates to Strengthen Your Bond

Hey there! So, I just had this moment where I knocked on my daughter’s door, half jokingly asking if she still remembers she has a mom. She flashed me a smile, blew a kiss, and asked me to close the door on my way out. Ouch! I totally get it, though. I was a teenager once too and wanted to distance myself from my mom, even if mine wasn’t as hip as I am. But deep down, I want her to enjoy my company as much as she loves me.

A couple of summers back, I decided to plan some exclusive mother-daughter outings. Until then, I was doing activities with both my kids, but when my son hit high school, he was all about ditching our mall trips. There’s something uniquely rewarding about spending quality one-on-one time with your child. No sharing attention, and way less negotiating on what to do. Here are eight delightful mother-daughter date ideas that will coax your teen out of her room, strengthen your relationship, and create fantastic memories.

1. Dress-Up Prom Shopping

We hit the junior’s section at a department store and grab a bunch of prom or special occasion dresses to try on. I snap pics of her in each dress, regardless of how they look! We kicked this off when she was 9, and it’s now a summer tradition.

2. TV Show Binge-Watching

Netflix is our go-to! We snuggle up on a rainy afternoon and stream our favorite series. This leads to fantastic conversations about friendships, relationships, and more. Some great shows for teens include Gilmore Girls, Parenthood, and The Wonder Years.

3. Read a Book Together

Two summers ago, we tackled Wonder by R.J. Palacio, and last summer, we read Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. If you’re not into reading out loud, try the OverDrive app for free audiobooks from your library. We’ve listened to books like The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series on road trips.

4. Podcast Listening

Podcasts can be tricky, but my daughter and I enjoy Gilmore Guys. She also loves This American Life and TED Radio Hour. Always check a couple of episodes first to make sure they’re appropriate for her age.

5. Matching Mani/Pedis

My daughter loves dark nail polish, while I lean towards bright pinks. Letting her choose my nail color shows that I trust her taste and gives us some quality bonding time.

6. Cook a Meal Together

I let my daughter pick a fun recipe, and we tackle the shopping and cooking together. The only rule? It has to be something she’ll actually eat (usually a pizza variation!).

7. Photo Session in My Wedding Dress

Back when she was 9, we took some adorable pics of her in my wedding gown. Those photos are some of my all-time favorites!

8. Start a Mother-Daughter Journal

Check out Just Between Us: A No-Stress, No-Rules Journal for Girls and Their Moms by Meredith and Sophie Jacobs. This journal is filled with prompts like “I often dream about…” and “My biggest regret…”. It has opened up so many conversations between us, and I feel like I know her better than ever.

I truly want my daughter to look back on our summers and remember me as a fun, engaged mom. I hope she’ll think of me fondly as she grows up, trusting me not only now but also when she becomes a mom herself. I aspire to be the Lorelai to her Rory, or the Sarah to her Amber—BFFs forever, right?

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Summary

These eight activities are perfect for nurturing your relationship with your teenage daughter while creating cherished memories together. From trying on dresses to cooking meals and binge-watching shows, each idea promotes bonding and understanding. Make the most of your time together this summer!