Show Them Your Love…

With the kids going back to school, you may find it harder to make sure that they know just how you feel about them. This article offers you some great ideas for showing your little – and big – ones just how much you care!

10 Little Things
By Julie Miller

We all love our kiddos, but so often we run out of time or ideas on how to show them that we love them. Here are 10 simple, easy and inexpensive ways to show your little ones that they are the apple of your eye. It just takes a moment each day to assure your child that they are special and loved.

* Write a Letter ~ Even little ones that can’t read yet LOVE to get mail. Find a special card, or make one yourself. Write a letter to your child and let him know that you love him and he is special to you. Be sure he is the one to get the card out of the mail box. Read the letter together. Then, keep all of the cards that you send in a special place…when he’s older, you can give them all back to him as a reminder of all of the reasons he is dear to you.

* Special Breakfast ~ For an unexpected treat for your little one, cook her favorite breakfast and serve it for dinner! Better yet, have her help you cook…kids love to help cook.

* Little Love Notes ~ Write little love notes for your child. Leave them in hidden places that he will find…under his pillow, in the refrigerator, under his dinner plate, in his school book, tape it under the toilet lid (great when he’s potty training), on his car seat, anywhere that he will find it. This also works great if you have to leave for a few days…then there are reminders that you love him even when you’re gone.

* Have a date ~ Even little ones love dates! Take her out to “coffee” with you…steamed milk with a bit of vanilla and cinnamon makes a lovely treat. Pack a picnic lunch, go out to a movie, look at the stars, take a stroll together. She will appreciate the extra attention, and you can use that time to let her know how much you love her.

* Get involved ~ Pay attention to your child’s favorites. Does he love trains? Take him for a walk by the train tracks. Does she love flowers, help her start her own garden. Does he love to read, take him to the library and let him pick a special book for you to read together. Doing things together that involve something he loves is always fun and will let him know that you are paying attention to him.

* Set a Timer ~ Pick a time, 15 minutes, 30 minutes…whatever. Then set the timer and use that time to completely focus on your kids, play, paint, sing, dance, run around, laugh, giggle…anything! Don’t get distracted by anything else…ignore the phone, the house, the dishes, give this time to your child. He will thank you for the undivided attention.

* Snuggle ~ Go to the video store and let your child pick out a movie. Then pop up some popcorn and snuggle under a blanket with your little one and watch the entire movie together. So often we get involved in other things that we forget that a good snuggle and a movie can really let a child know that they are worth your time.

* Hugs ~ This one is so easy! Simply give your child a big hug and tell him you love him. Tell him some special things about him that you appreciate and love. Tell him why you are happy that he is your baby.

* Journal ~ Get a notebook and write down all of the little memorable moments in your child’s life. Remember to write down things that are funny, amazing, silly, kind, and things that come out of his mouth that are incredibly profound. Write your thoughts and prayers for him as he grows. Then give him the book when he is grown. It makes a great gift for him when he has his first child.

* Display Their Work ~ Your child will give you countless pictures, drawings, paintings and projects. Find a special place in your home to display them proudly. The refrigerator is a great way to show your child that you appreciate his work. Another idea is to attach a small strip of metal to a wall (Under a cabinet works great). Then you can hang current artwork up with magnets and change it out as new masterpieces are created. This pride in his work will show your child how much you love him and appreciate his artistic talents.

Remember that you are the first one to foster your child’s self-esteem. Showing your child each and every day that he is special and that you love him and appreciate him will help him to grow knowing that he is a special child of God.

Reprinted with permission.
© 2005-2007 Julie Miller
Julie Miller is a work at home mom to two small boys and currently resides on the lovely Central Coast of California. She owns and operates two home based online jewelry shops. Her first,Little Girls Pearls’, is an upscale online boutique which offers heirloom quality pearl and sterling silver jewelry for girls of all ages. Her other, Jules, offers elegant and whimsical handcrafted jewelry.

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