Ways to Show Love to Your Kids

We all know we love our children. That's very obvious. But, when it comes to showing our love, even when we really do, it can be a difficult task for some. You can show love for your children in many different ways. Here are just a few suggestions and tips to help get you started.

Doing small things can be the biggest ways to show your children you are thinking of them and you love them. For example, if your child is school age and you pack their lunches, leave a small note in their lunchbag telling them something that you love about them. Do this every day for the whole school year.

Another idea for children who aren't in school or can't read is just simply tell them everyday. Tell your child when they get up in the morning "Good morning, <insert child's name here>! Did you know that I love you because <insert reason here>?" You are announcing your love for your child to them and it's sometimes amusing to hear their response.

Besides that, snuggle, kiss them, and hug them. Affection is a great way to show love for children (or anyone!)

A great way to show you love your children is to make them feel special. This means that when they have something really important they want to say (even if you don't think it's that important) drop what you are doing and listen to them. Don't just listen with your ears. Listen with your body too. Act attentive.

If your child does something good, make a big deal out of it. Did your child go all day without getting in trouble? Let them know that you are proud of them. Give them a special reward for doing something wonderful. Even if it's as silly as because "they are the prettiest girl ever."

Nothing says I love you by doing something you know your child will love. Get personal with the love showing. Recently, I had a conversation with my daughter about going to our local museum. It went something like this:

Me: Do you want to go to the museum soon? They have a real submarine that you can go on and explore!
Daughter: No, I just want a toy submarine.
Me: But this is a REAL submarine.
Daughter: Okay, but first I just want a toy one.

So this last weekend, I went on a weekend getaway to Seattle. I was looking around this store in a mall and noticed a cute submarine toy that was only $1.50. I remembered back to the conversation my daughter and I had about her wanting a toy submarine so I bought it for her. Something so inexpensive made my daughter so happy! She was also very happy that I remembered.

Some of the most memorable times that can be remembered are the times that weren't planned. As a mom, I know how hard it can be to drop everything and spontaneously go out or drop the cleaning and do a random activity, but doing so is a great way to show your love to your children.

If you wake up and notice it's hot outside, take a random trip to the beach or spend the day (or even afternoon) outside playing in the water!

If it's rainy outside, go to the store, buy some movie theater candy, and get something from Red Box or watch movies on Netflix!

Not only is this a great way to show your love to your children, but it's also a great way to have fun with your children.

For households with more than one child, showing love can get difficult. It is typical for one child to feel that they are not as loved as their other siblings so showing love, especially in multi-chidren homes, is important.

One important thing to remember is that every child deserves and needs one on one time with their parents, alone and together. I grew up in a household where there was not only two children (myself and my sister) but we are also twins.

My mom had bought a cheap hourglass from a store and used it to have "talk time" with each of us. During that time, we could talk to her alone and exclusively. The other child was not allowed to interrupt that time (except for emergencies).

Another great idea to show love in a multi-child family is to have what we called the "special plate". This plate was different than all of our other dinner plates. During dinner, one child got to use the special plate. Then, everyone else had to go around and say what they love about that child. The next night, a different child got it.

Those were just a few ways to show your child you love them. Above all else, make sure you let your child know verbally and with affection. Listen to your child, if they feel like you don't love them (besides because you won't give them what they want), something is wrong. Just because you are a parent, aunt, uncle, whatever, doesn't mean that your love for them is assumed. Showing them is very important.