by Christy Laverty
There is no doubt we all love our children. I have loved my girls since they moment I saw their sweet little faces. I bet you feel the same.
But life gets busy and we can often get caught up in the chaos of the day, forget to slow down and actually show and tell our kids how much we love them. We rush to get ready in the morning, hustling the kids out the door for school, then rush off to work, rush to get the kids after school. Then we rush home, rush them to dance or soccer, rush to make dinner and then, of course, there is the rush to get the kids to bed at night.
I am exhausted just listing all the things we rush to do every day! If you are anything like me, there are days when I spend too much time rushing around and not enough time just enjoying the moments of the day, the magic of life, with my family, especially with my kids.
If you take a few minutes every day you can enrich your life and the lives of your children. Truly, there are just a few things you can do to make sure you show your children just how much you love them, and in turn you will feel truly blessed and grateful for the joys of your family… after all isn’t that what life is all about?
Here are 5 ways to stop and enjoy your kids:
1. Hugs
It is a simple thing but just think about how great it feels when you get a great big hug from your children. There is something special about the feeling of physical affection. It is all about the importance of touch. Research shows every day physical contact is valuable and a critical component of healthy development for all children (and adults). Touch reduces stress and supports brain development. So take a moment and hug someone you love. Hug your kids before they start their day, it will set a positive tone for the day for you and your children.
2. Say I Love You.
I think we don’t say that phrase often enough. Life is too short not to tell the people we love how we feel. Often people say, “Oh my kids know I love them!”
True, but there is nothing better than hearing it. Children should hear it from our own lips. Tell them you love them every day!
3. Give Them A Cuddle
This may take a few extra minutes but it is so worth it. And, you know, when you think about it there is always time for a cuddle. Remember those days when your kids were babies or toddlers (or maybe they still are) and you would curl up on the couch together? Or how about first thing in the morning when your kids would sneak into bed with you?
Even when your kids get a bit older you should make time to cuddle. Again it all comes down to the benefits of positive physical contact. So take a few minutes to cuddle in the morning before you all start your day. Just sneak into bed with your kids. Or at night before bed, why not snuggle up together to read a book?
4. Love Letters
This one is fun and only takes a few minutes. If your kids eat lunch at school then just slip a sweet, short note in their lunch bag. A simple I LOVE YOU goes a long way. They will know you were thinking of them.
5. Talk and Listen.
I like this one because I often feel like I am talking AT my kids. There are often things I want my kids to do (or not do) and in the business of the day I can forget to stop and actually listen to what my girls are saying to me. They have things to say.
If you stop and listen, you show your children that you care about what they have to say, you respect their voice and show them you are truly interested in their lives. It is all about showing them you love everything about who they are.
Christy Laverty is a mother and an editor for a Toronto all news radio station. She also does freelance writing for several parenting magazines. Visit Christy’s blog where she updates the trials, tribulations, and fun of being mom of two beautiful girls.