Loving your kids unconditionally is one of the best feelings in the world. But without a proper way of demonstrating it to them, the feeling won’t translate well. In order words, you need to communicate it to them in a way they’re capable of understanding, and sometimes, this does not involve the standard means of communication (aka. verbal language). So what are 7 great ways express how much you love your kids? Let’s find out!
- Create family traditions and practice them regularly
Whether it be family meals, dancing in the kitchen, or walking in the park, family bonding is a concept that requires regular practice. The important part is to show them something new, teach them something valuable, and – whenever you run out of ideas – sharing a laugh is the next best thing for you to try. The takeaway is that whenever your kids start thinking about the time you’ve spent together, positive emotions will start going over their minds. Even if it’s just sitting next to a campfire and telling stories or going over whatever has happened that day, this is all good. And while we’re on the subject of stories…
- Tell them stories
Whether you pick up a good book or tell them about an adventure you’ve experienced in your life, telling stories is sure to light a spark in their eyes. Ideally, you should pick books from well-known authors; they’re probably as popular as they are for a reason, and that reason more than likely has plenty to do with their quality. The very best of them not only make an effort to entertain them, but also teach them a valuable life lesson in the process. After all, the younger they are, the more receptive they will be to your teachings. So don’t think merely in terms of showing them love, but also try to think of ways to instill good values in them, the ones they’ll carry in the back of their minds long into adulthood and beyond.
- Organize a birthday party they’ll never forget
Even though it’s a once-per-year event, a birthday is a time to be remembered, which is an important thing to keep in mind when organizing a party for a child. In other words, you need to make it unique, special, and memorable. So put your creativity to work and try to think of something amazing your kids will be able to brag about to their classmates (hint: having a football party at a large stadium and inviting everyone to come join in on the action is bound to leave a story to tell). Looking back at these special moments in time as your kids grow older will invoke positive emotions and memories, and they’ll know that their parents went to great lengths to demonstrate their love.
- Play with them
Spending your time playing with your kids is a surefire way to get them engaged and interested, all while teaching them valuable skills and training their cognitive abilities. Depending on their age, you’ll want to choose a game that’s suitable for them; the younger they are, the simpler it needs to be (and vice-versa). In a practical example, you may want to play simple memory games with your youngest ones, and move on to something more complex as they get older (chess is a good one). Scrabble is a great game to play at any age, and apart from reading stories to them, there’s hardly a better way to expand their vocabulary.
- Support them and help them realize their dreams
When they’re still kids, it’s important to show them good values and praise-worthy goals to aim for. But once they start developing their own interests and distinct personalities, they will slowly start expressing their own wishes and desires, so it’s important to support them as much as you possibly can. If they decided they want to take up golf, get them some golf clubs and beginner’s golf lessons (and, of course, take them out to a golf course as often as possible). Understandably, your financial situation may not allow for it, so try to find a way to make it happen regardless. One solution would be to borrow a golf club from one of your friends and watch free golfing lessons on Youtube. If all else fails, try to get them excited about a similar, yet more affordable hobby. However, do not, in any circumstances, try to force anything down their throats (like trying to get them to play an instrument if they’re not into it).
- Lend an attentive ear to their emotions
Kids, the younger they are, often can’t find a way to express what’s bothering them. So don’t just listen to what they are saying; observe their behavior and look for subtle clues indicating that something might have upset them. Try to make it right, but even if this is not possible, the least you can do is offer them your time and affection. You’d be surprised how far a simple thing like a hug can go, even if no other words are exchanged in the process. At the end of the day, feeling understood will make them feel loved and make them know you’re there for them, in good as well as bad.
- Give them lots of hugs and kisses
There will be a time when they start growing up and may refuse your physical expressions of love, especially during their rebellious teenage years. But until then, don’t hold it back. When they still don’t understand the intricacies of the language spoken in your country, expressing your love through physical gestures is one of the best ways to make them feel appreciated and loved. Of course, as with just about everything else in life, this should be done in moderation; if your kids start complaining about it and asking to be left alone for a while, don’t intrude on their personal space (most of the time, however, they will be very happy to spend some time with you, especially if you’re the hard-working kind who’s spending a lot of time at work).
Conclusion
Knowing how to raise your kids well would probably require a whole dedicated book of lessons before barely scratching the surface of everything there is to know, but these points and principles should serve you well for now. As a parent, you want to be remembered in a positive light, and being their teacher, guardian, protector, as well as a source of love and care, are some of the most important things to remember.
