7 Recommendations to Help Your Child Be Affectionate

Have you ever been told phrases like, “Oh I hope your children are loving when they grow up!” or “You have to make sure your child is affectionate so he does not suffer.” If this is the case, don’t worry. You’ll find recommendations on how to help your child be affectionate in this article.

One of the main reasons why it’s important for children to be affectionate is so they don’t deprive themselves of the affection they may receive from those around them in the future. 

Certainly, some children are naturally more affectionate than others. Each child is different and that’s why we must be careful with generalizations. Remember that each child has their own requirements and needs.

If your child is not as loving as others, don’t worry. It’s not that he is a better or worse child. He simply needs more time than others to become affectionate or show affection in public. In this sense, we must be wise and patient and give it time.

On a personal level, we must bear in mind that love and expression is a behavior that has a considerable impact on multiple areas of one’s life. Would you like your child to be more affectionate with other members of the family? In this article, we will give you some recommendations to help your child become more affectionate.

7 Recommendations to help your child be affectionate

1. Spend as much time together as possible.

If you want an affectionate child, base your relationship with him on love. Children learn to relate to others based on how they are treated, which means that if your child feels loved, he will be more receptive to everything you want to teach him.

Many parents plan an activity that interests them as well as their child before bedtime, such as reading a story. Another option is to dedicate Saturdays to sharing quality time doing various tasks.

2. Parents should always set a good example

A large part of what children learn is accomplished by observing their parents’ attitudes. This is why it is very important that you take into account your own attitude (and that of your partner) in any scenario, especially in a conflict situation.

A good way to set an example about affection and love is to try to contribute to the community in some way. By providing help to those who need it, your child will understand the importance of knowing how to relate to others and be cooperative in order to maintain a pleasant environment.

3. Always teach him honesty and humility

Avoid exploding with negative emotions when your child makes a mistake. When you scold him, you only frighten him and leave a negative mark on him. Instead, try to have a dialogue with him. Ask him what happened, whether he affected someone with his actions, and try to teach him how to apologize.

Explain to him how to avoid the same mistake in the future. Always be honest and an example of humility. As we said before, nobody is perfect, but we can improve if we support each other and build ourselves in a positive way.

4. Do simple activities and exercises

Clearing your mind is a very important step toward achieving a sense of calm in a time of stress. Play a sport that you like or just take a walk in order to help you be more attentive when you take care of your child.

5. Teach him that taking an interest in others is always a priority

It is good for children to learn the importance of caring for others and fulfilling their commitments to others. They must do the right thing, even if it is a bit difficult, and they must respect others even if they do not behave properly.

Aside from talking to your child’s teachers about his grades, you can also find out how he is developing socially and what kind of behavior he displays with his peers.

6. Provide the opportunity for your child to be loving

Children always need to express their gratitude and affection toward others so that they will gradually become generous, compassionate people. Moreover, they are also more likely to be happy and healthy.

If you can, help him to fulfill his responsibilities. If your child learns the importance of carrying out his routine activities, you will not have problems in the future when you ask him to do a new task.

Talking to your child is very important. Get close to him and deal with everyday issues that develop his values and stimulate his social skills. For example, you can talk to him about justice and injustice. Do not forget to give him space to express his opinions and ideas.

It is also very important that you know how to teach him to express his gratitude in even the most everyday situations. Encourage him to say “please” and “thank you” with sincerity, or to give nice gestures such as a hug of gratitude whenever necessary.

 7. Encourage him to be an agent of change

Children will always be interested in solving issues related to them, so it is important that they learn to take on the right roles and to function properly if a problem or difficulty arises. Remember that you can help him solve his dilemmas and strengthen his decision-making capacity.

If you notice that your child is interested in a cause, help him to become part of that group and motivate him to promote solutions or support initiatives. Encourage your child not only to help others, but to work with others. This will make your child more affectionate over time.

By following these recommendations, you will notice an improvement in the child. Little by little, between one thing and another, you will help your child become affectionate and loving, to express himself and to open up to others with ease. It is not a question of changing your child’s essence, but of giving him the opportunity to express himself with affection in order to lead a happier life.

As we have seen, making a child affectionate does not have to be a task that confronts him or disturbs him. On the contrary, it is an exercise in empathy and a valuable opportunity for personal growth, as well as an experience of learning and self-knowledge.