Toddler Bonding

Bonding with your toddler is sometimes as hard, if not harder than bonding with them as a baby. As they progress into a small person, you watch them develop step by step. Its key to support this progression with play and contact with yourself and others. Some parents start to lose the bond at this stage as it’s the time that many mums or dads are going back to work after maternity leave. It’s the time they start becoming more independent. But that's it, are they really independent? But even more important, are they ready to be independent?
Making excuses that they can play on their own while I take 10 mins to read the latest trash mag or catch up on the soaps won’t hurt... that is incorrect that 10 minutes turns into 1-2 hours if not longer, yes it’s good to have time to yourself and it is vitally important but at the same time if you leave your child on their own to self-occupy this will increase and they will start to shut you out of their play and lives. This is one of the most important times in a child's life and one that will set the bond for years to come, to lack that bond now will mean when they get to late childhood and into early teens from studies completed by the University in Dallas, shows that children are less likely to respect, listen and engage with their parents. Bonding is key to starting a solid foundation trust partnership with your child. 
Again it’s not just letting them play on their own its also sleeping. 1 in 5 toddlers sleep in their own bed at this age and 66% of the 1 in 5 that don't sleep in their mum and dad’s bed go on to form a lesser relationship than those that are left to be close to their parents, having that reassurance you are there, is key to building a strong relationship. (Research of Baby and Toddler sleep 2013)
Granted, it’s not ideal to have your little one in bed with you but rather that, than force them and have the melt downs. Sometimes it is better psychologically to support the child with bed time sleeping, once asleep, you can always transfer them over. It will take time but as they start to get to 3-4 years they start to go to bed in their own room and they know if there is a thunder storm or they have a scary dream they know your room is always open for them, forming that secure bond between the child and parent. From the age of 4, ideally your child will be in their own bed at night otherwise you run the risk of them being over attached and clingy. This is where the firm but fair parenting support model comes in, having good discipline; firm boundaries with the right amount of bonding is what will support all parent-child relationships.
Some methods can put strain on partner relationships as having a toddler in bed with you prevents the normal nocturnal contact and activities mums and dads have, but that doesn't mean it has to stop, it just means you have to be more spontaneous and adventurous how far you take it, is up to you.
Don't forget to keep the spark, flirt, wear seductive clothing, both of you, men can wear seductive clothing, I love a nice suit on a man my partner loves a bit of leg and cleavage, nothing trashy but enough to make him look and take notice. Buy nice lingerie, together. Flirt with it and send messages to each other keep the flame alight. Relationships struggle when one or both parties of the relationship feels neglected or taken for granted so it’s best you both talk about it and do small things for each other to so show how much you care. Then when you do get the time together (which might not be near a bed) the passion is still there and it doesn't become a chore without passion.