6 Ways to Tell Your Child I Love You Every Day
Parents are so busy these days that we sometimes forget to leave time for something as important as telling our children how much we love them. However obvious it might seem, saying I love you is something very, very important. They know it, of course, but they like to be reminded. They need it, in fact.
The good news is that it doesn’t take much time. You can do it however busy you might be. In fact, even if you don’t get to spend that much time with your child, you can still remind them how much you love them.
There are many different ways and moments that you can use for saying I love you to your child. Let’s take a look at a few of these.
Notes and messages for saying I love you
This is something that you can do at any age. You can leave notes in with their books, on their desk, in their schoolbag or with their toys. Write a short message, or do a cute drawing. You can also put something in with their packed lunch to remind your child of you and show them how much you love them.
For older kids, you can use technology, too. Send them an email or an instant message from time to time. Emojis can help you say a lot in very few words.
Always greet them with a hug and a kiss
Mornings and bedtimes are two key moments in the day that you can use to give your child a hug and a kiss. Forget about everything else for a little while and give them a dose of concentrated love.
When you or your child leave the house or come home is another good moment for a hug and a kiss. It is very easy to do this when your children are small. As they get older, though, we often get out of the habit, as if it didn’t matter any more. But it does. It’s just a little gesture, but it means a lot to children.
Sit down to eat with them at least once a day
Research shows that eating with their parents at least once a day holds numerous benefits for children. These include a reduced risk of substance abuse, higher grades and better self-esteem.
Lunch or dinner is a great chance to catch up and discuss anything your child may have on their mind. For this to happen, though, you must sit down around the table, with no television.
When you are with your child, pay attention to them
A recent study found that children are realizing that their parents are easily distracted when they are around. Often, they pay more attention to their phones than anything else. As well as setting a terrible example, it shows a lack of respect for your child.
When your child wants to talk to you about something, put down your phone and other distractions, and pay attention. And if there’s some pressing reason why you really can’t talk right now, make sure they understand why you have to go. Don’t hang up on your child, and don’t leave without explanation. Your time is the most valuable thing you can give to your children.
Plan activities with your child
Time is the best gift a parent can give to their child. It has to be quality time, though. If you and your child are at home together, but they are doing one thing and you are busy with something else, that is something quite different to really spending time with your child.
Planning activities for the weekend or participating with your children in activities outside the home, such as crafts, sports, dance lessons or other hobbies is another way to tell your child that you enjoy their company. As well as creating a sense of closeness, it gives you lots of opportunities for saying I love you and telling them how much you enjoy spending time with them.
In addition to telling your child that you love them, you can also tell them that you hope they have a great day. Send them motivational phrases, or tell them that you’re thinking of them and miss them. But don’t overdo it, especially once your child is older. This is just one of the ways to show them that you love them.
Thank them for everything they do
Saying thank you and you’re welcome is one of the best ways to raise your child to show appreciation for others. It can also let them know how much you appreciate them. Gratitude is an important value, and brings out the best in each of us.
In addition to thanking your children when they do things for you, whether or not you asked them to, there is more that you can do. From time to time, just thank them out of the blue – for being there, for being themselves, for making your mornings brighter or for cheering you up with their smile. Every word helps. They will love it.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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