- Notice them... get caught staring at them-even throw in a wink.
- Answer their questions with full attention at eye level.
- Create traditions and fight for them.
- Laugh at their jokes.
- Include them in your jokes. (If that makes you uncomfortable, Maybe you ought to change the jokes you tell.)
- Smile a lot
- Acknowledge them with a heartfelt "Good morning!" and a "Hi!" when you see them.
- Discuss their dreams (nightmares included.)
- Be relaxed in their presence. Just sit with them.
- Say their names.
- Contribute to their collections.
- Hide surprises for them to find.
- Kneel, squat, sit so that you are at their eye level.
- Go and find them at unexpected times.
- Play outside together.
- Surprise them.
- Remember their birthdays and other significant days in their lives. ("This was the day that you took your first step, trip to the doctor, etc.)
- Ask them about themselves.
- When they ask your advice give them options.
- Listen to the answers.
- Stay with them when they are afraid.
- Notice when they are absent.
- Follow them when they lead.
- Play with them... Adults can start the water balloon fight!
- Expect their best... and accept that it is not perfection.
- Be available.
- Do what they like to do.
- Share their excitement.
- Be honest.
- Be sincere.
- Include them in conversations.
- Brag about them when they don't think you know they are listening.
- Call them from work.
- Eat meals together.
- Plan discussion topics for dinner and announce them ahead of time.
- Tell them what your expectations are for their behavior.
- Practice the behaviors with them before they are in the situation.
- Introduce them to adults and tell the adult something of significance about them.
- Help to see mistakes as learning opportunities and not failures.
- Lesson record messages to them.
- Lesson record them.
- Video Lesson them just being themselves... like during one of those dinner conversations.
- Write them letters and send them in the mail.
- Go places together... take them along on errands.
- Build something together.
- Give them jobs at home that require thought and planning.
- Welcome their suggestions and use them.
- Make decisions together.
- When you make decisions for them include them in your thought processes.
- Help them to take stands on moral and ethical issues and then stand with them.
- Hug them.
- Set boundaries but help them to understand the reasons for them.
- Believe what they say.
- Tackle new tasks together.
- Cheer for their accomplishments.
- Encourage them to help others and recognize them when they do.
- Create a safe environment for them.
- Share secrets.
- Laugh
- Stop and enjoy time together. Even a minute at the bathroom sink.
- Be consistent but flexible.
- Praise loudly, criticize softly.
- Let them act their age.
- Tell them about yourself.
- Tell them what you believe and why you believe it.
- Help them to become an expert at something.
- Laugh.
- Ask their opinion about things.
- Show that you are excited to see them.
- Let them tell you how they feel.
- Display their artwork around the house... nicely framed.
- Thank them!
- Smile at them constantly.
- Keep promises... even small ones. In there eyes they are all the same size.
- Laugh
- Find a common interest.
- Let them pick the music and listen to it with them.
- Apologize when you've done something wrong.
- Hold hands.
- Take a walk.
- Read aloud together.
- Read moral literature and help them understand it.
- Use your ears more than your mouth.
- Show up at events.
- Learn from them and let them know what you learned.
- Tell them how terrific they are.
- Always suggest a better behavior when they have chosen an inappropriate one.
- Laugh.
- Be nice.
- Look them in the eye when you talk to them.
- Give them space when they need it.
- Use the car as interaction time.
- Tell them how much you like being with them.
- Develop a "secret word" for your family.
- Meet their friends.
- Meet their friends parents.
- Admit it when you make a mistake.
- Be honest
- Give them a private nickname and don't use it in front of others. (let them do the same with you.)
- Above all laugh, Laugh, LAUGH, and laugh some more.
Friday, February 11, 2011
ways to show you care.
Here is a list of ways that we can show our love for our children: (and remember that spouses can benefit from the same loving actions!)
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