If you have girls, dance with them. If you have boys, walk with your arms around their shoulders.
Wrestle and play with them. (We have tickle-wrestle time at least once a week. All the kids participate, even the little ones. Anya, our 3-year-old, jumps right in the middle of the pile. What a joy it is to be openly affectionate with my children.)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Hug And Kiss Your Children
Hug and kiss your children regularly and daily.
A mother’s and father’s touch is crucial in the development of a child’s internal security, emotional development and physical development.
Hug and kiss your children even when they get older. Don’t stop just because they are older. Nothing has changed. They are still your children and they need to know that your relationship hasn’t changed just because their bodies have.
In the past, fathers have been notorious for not being able to show affection, particularly physical affection, to their children. Dad’s might need to work on this a bit more, but both moms and dads should give regular physical affection.
Doesn't a hug from your little one sound good right now? Stop what you're doing and go give them a big hug and kiss.
A mother’s and father’s touch is crucial in the development of a child’s internal security, emotional development and physical development.
Hug and kiss your children even when they get older. Don’t stop just because they are older. Nothing has changed. They are still your children and they need to know that your relationship hasn’t changed just because their bodies have.
In the past, fathers have been notorious for not being able to show affection, particularly physical affection, to their children. Dad’s might need to work on this a bit more, but both moms and dads should give regular physical affection.
Doesn't a hug from your little one sound good right now? Stop what you're doing and go give them a big hug and kiss.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Write Your Child Notes
Write notes for your children and slip them under their door or put them in their lunch box.
I try and think of ways I can be encouraging them throughout the week.
Drew recently wrote a not for each of the kids and slipped it under their door for them to find in the morning. They ran into our room the next day exclaiming, “Dad, I got your note!” They were so excited.
They don’t easily forget those things.
Kids don’t usually question their mother’s love, but sometimes they do wonder if Dad loves them. So Dads, this is something to think about for you to do. Notes communicate our love in a lasting way.
I try and think of ways I can be encouraging them throughout the week.
Drew recently wrote a not for each of the kids and slipped it under their door for them to find in the morning. They ran into our room the next day exclaiming, “Dad, I got your note!” They were so excited.
They don’t easily forget those things.
Kids don’t usually question their mother’s love, but sometimes they do wonder if Dad loves them. So Dads, this is something to think about for you to do. Notes communicate our love in a lasting way.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Take Your Children On Dates
Take your children on “dates”.
I, Megan, get to spend more time with the kids so Drew often does “dates with dad.” He takes turns taking each of our kids out for some special time with just him. They love it! They look forward to it.
To this day, Drew talks about the one date his dad had with him when he was eight. He can tell you details of that experience. Dates with your children will live with them for the rest of their lives. They'll remember and they'll feel special.
Go on a date with your child.
I, Megan, get to spend more time with the kids so Drew often does “dates with dad.” He takes turns taking each of our kids out for some special time with just him. They love it! They look forward to it.
To this day, Drew talks about the one date his dad had with him when he was eight. He can tell you details of that experience. Dates with your children will live with them for the rest of their lives. They'll remember and they'll feel special.
Go on a date with your child.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Everything You Say Matters
Be aware of everything you say; does it build or tear down?
A simple definition of “encourage” is “to put courage in.” “Discourage” means “to take away courage.”
Look for opportunities to encourage, especially if your children are obviously discouraged or vulnerable for some reason.
Even right now, think of a way you can encourage your child today. Then go and do it!
A simple definition of “encourage” is “to put courage in.” “Discourage” means “to take away courage.”
Look for opportunities to encourage, especially if your children are obviously discouraged or vulnerable for some reason.
Even right now, think of a way you can encourage your child today. Then go and do it!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Communicate Encouragement with Your Face
Communicate encouragement with your face and your expressions.
When Drew was bathing our children one night our daughter asked him, “Dad what’s wrong with your face?” He realized he had been thinking about work, and his face was twisted and worried. She thought she had done something wrong. It’s the same with me. If I’m stressed or frustrated it’s often worn on my face. Our kids notice and it affects them.
When Drew was bathing our children one night our daughter asked him, “Dad what’s wrong with your face?” He realized he had been thinking about work, and his face was twisted and worried. She thought she had done something wrong. It’s the same with me. If I’m stressed or frustrated it’s often worn on my face. Our kids notice and it affects them.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Five Ways To Love Your Child
“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~Elizabeth Stone
As a parent, you understand this feeling. So often I stand over the beds of my sleeping children and feel my heart aching with love as I look at their precious faces.
But more than feeling love for our children, we have to show it to them. This is one of the most fundamental and important aspects of parenting. You can’t assume that they know they are loved – they can’t see you standing over them while they sleep – you have to demonstrate regularly.
Five ways you can do that:
1. Become Your Child's Primary Encourager
2. Give Regular Physical Attention
3. Have Quality Time With Your Child
4. When You're With Your Kids, BE With Your Kids
5. Demonstrate Unconditional Love
We're going to look closer at each one of these five ways to love your children over the next few months. The one thing your children should never have to experience is doubt as to whether or not you really love them.
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