We believe in discipline in our house and consequences for actions. Most parents I know think that I am too hard on my son. On the other side of that though, most parents also say that our son is one of the best behaved and well rounded children that they know.
So, how do you find a balance between being a drill Sargent and a passive parent.
I have flat out asked Sam ‘You know I love you, right?’ and he always answers ‘Yes’ without any hesitation. He knows that there are a lot of kids around him, school friends, family friends and family that have a much easier time and much less discipline in their lives, but he also knows that he is very much loved and appreciated.
I may not be the best mom out there but my child knows he is loved every moment of the day. Here are some of the ways that I prove on a daily basis that I love my son.
- hugs
- kisses
- tell them “I love you”
- tuck them into bed
- cuddle under a blanket
- quote lines from their favourite movie, it’s like an inside joke that only the two of you will get.
- make their favourite dinner - it can be a grand gesture or just another item on the weeks meal plan
- pack a note in their lunch box - just for the heck of it or to give encouragement for a test or a race.
- squeeze on the shoulder or arm
- pat their leg
- put a photo of them up at your place of work
- thank them for helping out around the house, even if it is their chore to do.
- tell others of funny or great things they did when they are around to hear
- retell stories to them of when they were young
- make them laugh
- listen when they speak, really listen
- measure their body against yours for their growth
- play a game, either a board game or as simple as a thumb war.
- go for a walk
- ask how their day was, ask what the best and the worst thing of the day was
- high five them
- tickle them
- have a pillow fight
- read together
- hold their hand
- put a smiley face on their sandwich or apple
- make popcorn and watch a movie together
- make them healthy food
- go on a picnic even if it’s just a snack in the backyard or balcony
- let them get dirty
- let them have a bubble bath with extra bubbles
- always support your child, have their back.
- get them a small gift without them having to ask
- take time off work to go to a school assembly or on a class trip
- make one day a year not their birthday a special day to do all of their favourite things
- bake cookies together
- play rock paper scissors or eye spy when standing in line
- sing and dance around with the when no music is playing
- smile at them
- let them choose which snack or cereal to buy at the grocery store
- compliment them
- involve them in your hobby
- wake your child up with kind words, like “Good Morning Sunshine”
- make a special handshake together
- apologize when you are wrong
- ask their opinion
- give big bear hugs, lifting them off of the ground
- blow bubbles on a hot day
- make snow angles just after it snows
- tell them again you love them with words
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