I always remember one thing from my younger years and that was when I was told its easy to say the words I love you but it means more if we show it day by day through our actions. My son doesn’t always get the whole “I love you”

concept (This week I was angry with him for cutting his sisters hair off and he said to me I guess you don’t love me now cause you are yelling)He is also uncomfortable with the hugs and kisses I could give him, so I am left trying to show him in a way that is less obvious and thus easier for him to grasp and accept…

My daughter and I are the opposite and are big on kisses and hugs. We also have a song that we sing to each other when she goes to bed. It’s the “I love you, you love me” song by Dorothy the dinosaur. Its something special just for us. And she often will get on my lap and sing it to me after she has been to day care.

What other ways show our child they are a priority?

• Skip dinner preparations and make a picnic together to eat where your child choses
• Turn off the TV and lay on the floor to play 
• Go for a walk and talk about whatever comes up.
• Say “I love you” so it is crystal clear. 
• Use terms of endearment (love, sweetie girl/boy, pumpkin, nugget, macaroon, etc.)
  
• Ask your children about their day and listen to their answers. Ask them follow-up questions to make sure they have told you everything they want you to know.
• Play games and sports with your children inside and outside
• Share the things you love with your children.Show them what you love & tell them about it.
• Tell them about your work so they know the things you do when you are not with them.
• Bring them to your workplace so they can picture what you do when you are away from them
• Take time to visit their school,
• Put them to bed at night  
• Wake up with them in the mornings or have morning cuddle time (big hit with my children)
• Play something your child wishes to play
• Cuddle up under a blanket and watch what he or she wants to watch on TV.
• Give Eskimo kisses (my son loves this one cause he feels in control)
• Compliment your child's appearance
• Read books like "I Love You, Good Night," "On Mother's Lap", "Guess How Much I Love You" or "If You Were My Bunny."
• Send an encouraging note in their lunch.
• Cook something together(we do this ever weekend together and my kids love the fact they chose what we make)
• Talk in the car on the way to school ..No music, no radio
• Find a video game you can play together
• Do a jigsaw puzzle together.
• Use magnetic letters to put loving messages on the fridge.
• Make customized word games with loving messages.
• Take pictures of facial expressions showing different emotions, and tape the one of you showing "love" over your child's bed.
• Send your child a card in the mail with a gift inside (my son loves getting love mail)
• Stick a note on your child's mirror as they sleep.
• Find a board game you both enjoy and schedule regular tournaments.
• Develop a secret word or gesture that only the two of you know the meaning of.
• Kids who don't like hugs may be o.k with sitting on your lap and being held from behind, particularly if they're watching TV or reading(my son sits on the arm of my chair)
• Take your child out to lunch(i have lunch dates with each of my kids every week and they love the mummy alone time)
• Play hide and seek with your child, and while you're searching talk very loudly about how sad you will be if you can't find him or her. Then be very happy when you're reunited.

Having time together doesn’t have to involve lots of money, just your time and attention. That is the gift our children wants above all else

Every day I am going to be asking myself, did I love my kids enough today? How can I love them more tomorrow?