Raising Happy, Healthy Children Who Know You Love Them
1. Tell them you love them every day. My parents never let a day slip by when they didn’t say, “I love you.” Those words kept me going when life got rough.
2. Tell them you are glad they are your child. It is amazing the personality change that happens when I say this to my children. They stand up straighter, smile more–and not only that–they will tell me, “I am glad you are my mom.” My heart melts and my confidence soars right along with them.
3. Be an Example. Show your children you care by bettering yourself as a mother, housewife–whatever roles you play–and sincerely do your best.
4. Hug them. What child doesn’t love a hug?
5. Laugh with them. When they tell a joke–whether it’s funny or not–laugh and they will shine.
6. Be there for them. When their sick, when their happy, when their sad–sit down and have a parenting moment with them and just be there.
7. Listen to Them. I have the hardest time with this one. Often times, my daughter runs away crying, “You never let me talk.” Or, “You never listen to my side!” She’s right and I need to work on that.
8. Make them a priority. When they have a soccer game, a play, a field trip– try and be there to cheer them on. I know it is not always that easy or possible–if you can’t be there, write them a note that says you are thinking about them.
9. Help them. Whether it’s homework, chores or an art project–help them. Even kids get overwhelmed sometimes.
10. Discipline them. I used to hate it when my father would say, “this hurts me more than it hurts you,” (yeah right) but now that I am an adult, his words are so true. Kids like to have limits set for them, whether we think so or not–they want to know we care about their welfare and want for their safety.
11. Play with them. Take time out of your busy schedule and go to the park, build a castle (if you live near a beach) or construct a tower out of Legos.
12. Praise their efforts. When they clean their room without being asked, tell them you appreciate it. Tell them their spelling is getting better, etc..
13. Discuss with them their fears, their dreams. I usually get a mouthful out of my son when he talks about what he wants to be when he grows up. (a train conductor) His eyes light up and his excitement is contagious or when he is scared of the dark, but doesn’t want you to know.
14. Make them responsible children. The best thing my parents did for me was give me responsibility and then say, “now remember, you are responsible for this, so if anything happens, there will be consequences. I learned a lot about choices and how they affect our lives.
15. Pray for them. Get down on you knees and first thank God for their sweet spirits and then pray that they will be good people, that they will follow counsel and lead happy lives.
16. Be patient with them. Everyone should know that word is my least favorite word in the dictionary, but,– and there is always a but, isn’t there– just like the earth wasn’t created in one day, children won’t be created in one day, or one month, or one year–it takes time.
17. Sing to them. My kids love lullaby’s, even my seven year old when she can’t sleep wants mom to sing her a song.
18. Read to them and let them read to you. That is one of the best times to bond with your children.
19. Write them a poem. Now all of us writers–and even if your not–can jot down a paragraph or two about their shining eyes or their sweet smile.
20. Last, but not least–Remember them. Remember the good times, even the bad. Remember, they grow up so fast; cherish each moment you have with them, before its too late.
