10 Little Ways to Tell Your Child You Love Them

 Valentine’s Day is coming, and while the world is thinking about ways to celebrate love on that special day, I’ve collected 10 creative ways you can send the message your kids need to hear every day.

 

1. Take care of yourself.  Eat right, and exercise regularly…. not just to feel good about yourself, but so you can enjoy it when your child wants to play tag outside or go swimming at the local pool.
2. Have a love fest at the dinner table.  Arrange strands of cooked spaghetti on your child's plate into the shape of a big heart, and fill the center with marinara sauce.
3. Pay attention. When your child talks to you, don't just say "mm-hmm" while you read your email or update your status on Facebook. Make eye contact and listen. Your full attention is a gift of love.
4. Love potion. For kids over age 4, put heart-shaped red-hot candies in an ice-cube tray and fill with water. Freeze, then place a few cubes in your child's drink, or empty the tray into a bowl of fruit punch.
5. Take a walk down memory lane. Sit down with your little valentine, and look through family photos, or watch home videos from the time she was a baby. Tell stories about her first word, when she learned to walk and her favorite toy when she was younger.
6. Don’t be too busy. Some days seem to zoom by, and before you know it, it’s time to brush teeth and go to bed. Force yourself to stop what you’re doing and make time for snuggling with your child at lease once a day. Read a book, watch a favorite TV show, or just hold them close. I promise the laundry will still be there tomorrow.
7. Ocean of love. Buy or collect several new sponges in various colors, and trace hearts onto them with cookie cutters of various sizes. Cut out the hearts, and scatter them in the tub after you've filled it. (For safety's sake, only do this for kids ages 4 and over -- sponges can easily tear into pieces, creating a choking hazard for younger children.)
8. Sweet treat. Wrap up a heart-shaped cookie along with a note telling your child just how much you love him, and how special you think he is, and tuck it into his lunch box.
9. Share the love. Ask your children to help you make up a list of thoughtful things you could do for others (like bringing gently used toys and books to a shelter or reading to an elderly neighbor). Then have everyone commit to two things on the list. It's a great way to teach your child empathy for others and spread the love around.
10. Just say “I love you” and hug them tight, every single day.