Tips and resources to support children birth to age five
How Do You Show Your Child Your Love?
How do I love thee? Let me show you the ways…With apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who wanted to count the ways, I’m wondering today how you show your child your love. Love is not kisses and hugs (or not only kisses and hugs). Love is more everyday than that. Every day and moment by moment.
On Saturday I watched a soccer match with my son and daughter-in-law and their two small children. Ninety minutes of soccer action can seem long even for adults, so it wasn’t much of a surprise that not even the seven-year-old soccer player nor his not-quite-two sister could sit still for the entire match. But the toddler got read to while the match was going on. Someone played crazy eights and go fish! with the seven-year-old. The kids were not yelled at for being disruptive and they weren’t sent away to play by themselves. Both kids were included in the family gathering in ways they could manage and with the personal attention that said, “I love you.” Everyone – including the adults – had a super time.
Contrast this with something that happened a week ago: I told my small granddaughter I loved her and she said in a very flat, unimpressed sort of voice, “Oh, wow.” Words don’t carry much weight. Actions do.
As you go through your day today, notice the little things you do – the smiles, the caresses, the accommodation to childish needs and wishes – that communicate your love more surely than just saying the words. Tell us about them… I want to hear your stories!
Answer the question for the chance to win a $25 Starbucks gift card AND a Life with Baby DVD brought to you by Talaris Institute! For more details, please click here.
Views: 9
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chrissy G. on -
I believe life can be presented through hugs and kisses, cozy soup on cold days, cutting sandwiches into shapes, conjuring a fun story at bedtime, taking the time to talk when the kid is bummed out, eradicating all put downs and replacing them with encouraging pats, making responsible choices in terms of their education and health and yes even discipline, and even just playing the day away with them at the park or in their lopsided fort. I do believe the best way to show a child love though is through a smile and a simple affirmation "I love you" every single day in the morning and at night. That's what my parents did with me and that's what my sister does with her children and I think it's the best way - just saying it aloud :)
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Permalink Reply by chris on
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When dealing with infants responding to a cry immediately builds a trust and lets them feel loved, as they grow being consistant with them in all that do, and including them in even the most simple or advanced task. My daughter told her friend "my mommy holds my hand cause she loves me so much" I never thought too much about that one action.
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Permalink Reply by Joel Ballezza on -
Great message!
chris said:When dealing with infants responding to a cry immediately builds a trust and lets them feel loved, as they grow being consistant with them in all that do, and including them in even the most simple or advanced task. My daughter told her friend "my mommy holds my hand cause she loves me so much" I never thought too much about that one action.
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Permalink Reply by Natalie Hensley on
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I never intended to show my children I loved them with food. It was just one of those necessary things that we did because we had to basically. So, imagine my surprise when all 4 of my kids brought home mother's projects from school that said things like, "I love my mom because she makes me pancakes" and "I love my mom because she lets me help her choose fruit at the grocery store." I've read countless books on parenting, discipline, fun family activities... (you name it) trying to achieve that elusive super-mom status. Turns out, my kids know that I love them and might just have great happy childhood memories after all. Just because I make a mean PB&J, I guess.
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Permalink Reply by lisa moore gee on
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lots of hugs, kisses, and PRAISE! Making them feel good about themselves is the best way to make them feel special, important and LOVED! Great question this week!!!
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Permalink Reply by Foundation for Early Learning on -
Thank you everyone for sharing how you show your love! After a random drawing, Lisa Moore Gee has won this week's $25 Starbucks gift card and Life with Baby DVD. Congratulations Lisa!
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Permalink Reply by lisa moore gee on
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yay yay yay yay yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you soooo much! Lol can you tell I'm excited?? What a great day!
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Permalink Reply by MIchele Andrews on
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Lots of hugs, kisses, and positve words. Talking to children, infants. Even if they are not able to communicate with words yet, singing talking and being attentive to them 24 hours a day is a great way to nuture children and really get a positive attachement with them. Each age group (infant toddler pre-schooler) has a difffernt need for day to day and really forming a great attachement to meet thier needs is important!
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Permalink Reply by Emijah Smith on
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I am a single mom with three beautiful children almost drowning in the sea of our economic crisis. I show my children love by being creative and resourceful in caring for their everyday needs, nuturing their confidence, and investing in their spirit. I show my children love by getting on their level and playing outside sacrificing clean clothes and groomed hair. I show my children love by laughing with them and learning from them, which humbles me as a person and increasing my awareness in life. I show my children love by enjoying sacrificed time I really don't have to spare. I show my children love by making wise investments in their education, like reading to them when I personally dislike the sedentary task of reading. I show my children love by making tough decisions that are in their best interest. I show my love by making wise, safe, and healthy decisions that will sustain my time with them into their adulthood. With my love, I am determined to inspire productive well-balanced leaders of the world.
© 2012 Created by Foundation for Early Learning.
