While I wrote this post with Valentine’s in mind, these ideas can and should be used throughout the entire year to demonstrate your love to your child. In this day and age of busyness with phones, computers, tablets, etc.. I think that most childrens love language is quality time. I often find myself telling them “Not now” and “Momma’s busy, maybe later”. Later comes less and less these days. I made a decision to consciously to stop what I am doing and focus on demonstrating my love each day in February without words to my child.
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Touch- A hug, kiss, pat on the back, holding hands, ruffling their hair. Any of these physical activities demonstrate your affection to your child. Go out of your way to touch your child lovingly as often as you can.
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Sit down and play with your child; Legos, barbies, hot wheels, kitchen-it doesn’t matter what it is, make eye contact and interact in the play-not just watch.
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Snuggle on the couch and watch a movie- Something that they love, even if you’ve seem it a dozen times.
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Enlist their help in fun chores; washing the car, pulling weeds, planting a garden.
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Learn a new skill together, paint pottery, take a cake decorating class, or
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Take a walk around the neighborhood, ask questions, answer their questions, and
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Play in the rain (as long as its not thunder and lightening) let your child see you being silly and relaxed. Splash in puddles.
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Make arts and crafts, make a holiday themed art project, cards, a watercolor painting, or even just color a page together.
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Do something kind for someone else together- gather up personal supplies to donate to a homeless shelter, games for a children’s hospital, etc. Teaching your child to love others is a great way to demonstrate love.
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Look at pics, share your memories with your child-tell them about the day they were born, their first steps, how you felt when they left for their first day of school.
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If your child is old enough take them to your hair or nail salon when you go and let them get their own treatment, let them have a little taste of being a grown up.
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Cook dinner together, keep to simple foods, let them cut up hot dogs or cheese with a plastic butter knife, toss the salad, or stir vegetables.
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Declare family game night, dust off Chutes and Ladders, pop some corn and have a game marathon.
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Play a sport in the backyard, soccer, t-ball, football- whatever interests them, get active, teach them a new move or let them teach you one. Make up silly rules.
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Have a picnic in the park, it can be as simple as pbj’s and juice boxes- the simplest of foods become special when accompanied by a picnic blanked and undivided attention.
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Adopt a pet from the pound, talk about expectations for pet care.
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Sit down and create a bucket list for the season, or the entire year- fun family friendly activites you would like to experience. These can be free, cheap, or a some that will require savings.
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Take them on a date- whether its your son or daughter take them out to eat or to a movie, just one on one.
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Dance-turn up the radio and shake it!
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Read to your child, if they are able to read take turns reading to each other.
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Say yes as often and as much as you can. Yes you can have an extra scoop of ice cream, yes we can go outside and play, yes you can paint.
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Compliment your child to someone else in front of them, let them hear you brag on their skills, or accomplishments.
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Pamper them- draw them a warm, scented bubble bath, give them a foot rub, or scalp massage.
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Make a special lunch for your child-use cookie cutters for a fun sandwich, draw silly pictures on packages with a sharpie, include a sweet love note.
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Remember they are little, they didn’t intentionally spill the glass of milk, let things go, clean up messes together and don’t forget they are not where you are in life.
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Gather up all the change around the house, the jar, in the couch cushions, your cars console- take them to the local arcade and play!
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Let them stay up past their bedtime and whisper together, tell secrets, watch a show on tv.
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Make a big deal out of an otherwise ordinary day; celebrate a half birthday, National Ice Cream day, or just have a fun Friday. Start in the morning, decorate with balloons, homemade signs, favorite foods