Make your children feel loved!

Every child wants, needs and deserves to be loved unconditionally. It is in our human nature to crave love, affection and attention. Here are some tips to help you on the way to a loving relationship with your child. It is never too late to begin this program.

 

1. Tell them you love them.

 

This maybe seem obvious and redundant, but if you repeatedly tell a child you love them, it will become set in stone, and they will never forget it. Tell them you love them when they do something good, bad, interesting, funny, adorable, or just randomly. No time is a bad time to tell your child you love them.

• NOTE: It's a good idea to tell the child you love them while scolding them, if you're mad, or if they're in trouble. A child can easily feel less loved when they are getting scolded at.

 

2. Hold them. 

 

Holding a child makes them feel comfortable and less afraid, and it's a perfect way to show them how much you care. Brush their hair back, rock them back and forth, and repeat step one often.

 

 

3. Gain interest in the things they like. 

 

If you show them that you're interested in the things they like, they'll feel appreciated, cared for, and loved. Remember what they do, show it to people you know, and make a big deal out of it. If your child shows you a picture they painted, hang it on the fridge for everyone to see and tell the child how amazing it is and how proud you are of them.

• NOTE: If you cannot become interested in the things they do, at least pretend you're interested. Children who do not feel appreciated can become depressed or scared to engage in new tasks, or they may give up the things they like because no one cares. Show them you care!

 

4. Let them be themselves.

 

 If you try to control everything they do, they'll get the impression that you hate who they truly are. If they want to be something, let them! Let their imagination run wild. The more you show that you love the person they are inside, the more they will understand that they are appreciated and loved.

 

5. Don't put them down; bring them up.

 

Putting a child down about their creativity, intellect, or anything else makes them hate who they are. Bringing them up will make them proud to be them.

 

6. Set guidelines, and stick with them.

 

If you skimp off keeping your guidelines and rules kept, kids may feel like they can get away with anything. They'll one-up you every chance they get. Loyalty with your rules in a nice way will show the child that you respect them and care for their safety.

 

7. Don't give all of your attention to one child (if there is more than one).

 

Focusing on just one child shows that you're playing favorites; one child will feel less loved than the other, and this can create conflict. Share the time with both.

 

8. Understand that especially in the early years how important it is to play and spend time with the young child.

 

Consistent attention and affection is the key to happiness. You can never spoil a child with too much love.

 

9. Look at your child to see what his or her needs are.

 

Try to cuddle and read to them every night. If that is not possible, do it in the morning. Kids love for you to sit on the floor and build with them or create something with them. Take time everyday and just sit with them and talk. The important thing is let them know you enjoy being with them. It is the highlight of your day.

 

10. Establish a routine everyday.

 

Even if it bores you silly! Children just love routine because it makes them feel safe. Start a solid meal routine and explain to them why they need to eat healthy foods. Make a bedtime routine as well. Plan an enjoyable bath and reading time.

 

11. Surround them with other people that love them.

 

Create a loving family for your child in which adults fuss, talk, play, brag and take pictures of them. Always talk in loving terms about your child. Watch your words at all times. Many adults make the mistakes of thinking children can not hear them so talk about them in a positive way and let them hear you. An example is you are on the phone and you say to your relative or friend how happy you are with the child because (and name a reason). If you are talking to other parents, never put down your own child. Just compliments.

 

12. Avoid drama. Keep the home life serene.

 

Having a crisis all the time or fighting constantly is extremely stressful to any child. Put their needs first, not yours. If you are living a selfish life, now is the time to stop. Always put your child's needs first, before a boyfriend or girlfriend without question.

 

13. Value your life in front of your child.

 

Model upbeat and positive attitudes. Stop complaining about how horrible your day is or what a terrible life you had. This is your time to make an impact on a young life, so do it in an honorable way. Be a role model all the time and show good values and common sense.

 

14. Protect them always and let them see it.

 

Tell them they are the most important thing in the world to you. Hold their hands as you walk in a crowd. Carry them when they are small. Talk to them about the dangers in life, when they are ready. Don't ignore your child's fears, but comfort them instead.

 

15. Allow your child room to make mistakes.

 

Don't corner a child if they make an error and always give them a way out to save face. If your child does lie to you, tell them that you know in your heart that they are not the type of person who lies, explain that you understand they did it to avoid getting in trouble, but you expect them to always tell the truth. If a child keeps lying, then they may be looking for attention. Rethink how you can make them feel better about themselves. Come up with positive nicknames for your child such as "Honest Mike" or "Trustworthy Susan".

 

16. Show up to every event in your child's life that you can.

 

Make a wall in your home that is all about them. School pictures, art work, class work and pictures of you with them doing fun things. Change it from time to time. Show if off to family and friends.

 

17. Realize that your child has not been put on this earth for your ego.

 

They are not a "mini you'. They are a human being, that needs to be allowed to slowly grow into a healthy happy adult. Forget your dreams and wishes that you wish to impose on them. Let them have a childhood that doesn't reflect you pressuring them to become what you want them to be. Children are forced into feeling they must be perfect or "fill in the blank" to be loved. Do not do that to any child. Loving unconditionally means loving them as they are not what you want them to be.