It’s the simple things!

We often wait for special occasions or when our children are unwell before we intentionally put effort into showing love for them. We get busy and sometimes simply overlook the more fundamental – and important aspects of parenting.

In other circumstances, we can lack the confidence or commitment to applying fundamental parenting, falling into the trap of assessing oneself that we are not good enough parents or not doing enough for our children. We can develop a self-resentment for the acts, we are unable or un-willing to do.

But let’s not underestimate how powerful the simple applications of parenting can be.

Felling loved is a means of emotional survival. Feeling loved develops security, creates safety, helps the child to be seen, comforted, valued and supported.

In human development, it’s been well documented that a child comes into the world with the vital primary needs of safety and security, and gets these needs met through responsive and attuned attachments caregivers.

Essentially, the thousands of small moments of love you show your child throughout their early life, build the foundation for their emotional health and future relationships.

“These moments of positive connection that parents can develop with their kids are, as an affective neuroscientist described, like fertilizer for the brain. They support brain development and social skill development. One of the most important things we can give to our kids is that caring attuned attention.”  Barbara Frederickson.

Developing an attuned relationship with your child assists them with the following:

• meets your child’s basic need for safety and security
• improving confidence
• decreasing stress
• improved academic performance
• better parent-child communication
• healthy emotional developmental
• more positive social interactions
• increases empathy

Showing kids love doesn’t have to be elaborate or fancy, and in fact, it can most definitely happen in the small moments of daily life.

Here are some ways you can show love for children (and boost their emotional well-being).

Showing love for children doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional. This list will help you remember how important small daily acts of love are to your child, and just how you’ll be able to make them happen.

• Apologize when you mess up
• Tell them a story about your childhood
• Really listen to them – eye contact
• Take a 1:1 walk around the block 
• Join in theirplay
• Clean their room for them
• Ask about their day. You could ask about any positives or negatives.
• Offer to help with their school work
• Let them express their emotions
• Send a joke in their lunchbox
• Be brave together and try a new activity
• Make time to watch their favorite show (even if you hate it!)
• Read to them – this is a BIG one!!
• Dip fruit in melted chocolate
• Frame a picture of you together for their room
• Give them a massage or back scratch
• Blow bubbles – create your own mix with detergent and straws.
• Include them in a typical ‘grown-up’ job
• Limit screen time
• Bake or cook together
• Give them your absolute undivided attention 
• Ask them their opinion on something important 
• Meditate or pray together
• Fold their laundry for them 
• Write them a letter about how amazing they are
• Send them an un-expected email
• Grow something together – plant seedlings in the garden
• Make a combined song playlist
• Teach them a new card game
• Write them a poem
• Pick or buy them flowers 
• Create a scrapbook with them
• Read a bedtime story
• Tell them a make-believe story
• Watch a show from your childhood
• Explore positive affirmations together. Find something that resonates with each of you.
• Genuinely compliment them
• Complete a puzzle together
• Buy or check-out from the library a book you think they’d love
• Add 20 seconds to your morning hug
• Set goals with them – Make them Small, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic & Time framed (SMART)
• Help them pursue their interests
• Notice and comment on their strengths
• Let them pick the music in the car
• Ask your child what they’d like to do together!
• Have dinner as a family
• Make a picnic on the floor with a blanket
• Pick-up a new game to play together at an opp shop
• Volunteer together or do something to help others
• Do each others hair/nails
• Sing together – use the playlist you created!
• Look at your child’s baby pictures with them
• Make a fort with blankets and pillows