Some days it seems like you’re just holding everything together. Rushing to get the kids to school on time, rushing to get to work. Rushing home and hurriedly cooking dinner, then rushing through the bath and bed routine. That’s just the way life goes sometimes. If you’re time poor like most of us are, and want to show your child how much you love them, here are 30 little ways that can be incorporated into your day with almost zero effort.
- Give your child kisses when they wake up.
- Read an extra book before bedtime.
- If you get home at night too late for books, read a book at breakfast instead.
- If your child can read, put a note in their lunch box, that says, “Have fun today! Love you!”
- Give big hugs and kisses before you leave.
- Ask what their favourite part of the day was.
- Ask what the hardest part of the day was, too.
- When your child is desperate for your attention, drop what you’re doing and give it to them.
- Look them in the eyes.
- Stay in their room just a few minutes longer than usual at bedtime.
- Notice something they’ve done right: “Thank you for putting your toys away, I really appreciate it.”
- Cook together – let your child help you make dinner if you’re not the baking kind.
- No matter how bad your day was, or how annoyed you are at your child, never go to bed angry, or let your child go to bed feeling that you’re angry with them.
- Compliment your child on something they do: “I really love listening to you sing. You sing so beautifully”.
- Try to get ready ahead of your schedule so you can cut out the “hurry ups” and let the child take their own time walking down the street, getting in the car, picking a few flowers along the way.
- Really listen to what your child is saying, without interrupting.
- Make your child feel like their opinion matters by asking what they think.
- Proudly display their artwork at home.
- Don’t talk about them, especially their flaws, in front of them.
- After you have an argument, give them a big hug and tell them it’s ok.
- Follow through on any promises you make.
- Play with your child, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
- Say “yes” instead of no.
- Give your child your full attention when you’re together.
- Think of a fun activity to do together on the weekend, even if it’s something as simple as going to a new playground together.
- Smile at your child.
- Be the last to let go of hugs.
- Ask to hold their hand.
- Try to see their point of view.
- Tell them you love them. Every single day.
This article was first published on MommyNearest.
Linking up with Grace.
Love this list, it’s right up my street! Lots of fab ideas for how to show my kids I love them when we are always so crazy-busy around here! Thanks!
Thank you! I hope they are helpful and your kids give you big smiles as a result 🙂
Beautiful Christine, such simple things, so easy to do, but so easy to skip when the madness sets in! Hugging my kids actually makes me tear up, every single time. It’s the best feeling in the world 🙂
Thank you! It really is, isn’t it? 🙂
This is gorgeous… You have given me a few other ideas about loving my babies
Thank you Natalie! So happy you found something useful in it.
Aww – so sweet. <3 I'll try to do more of these.
Thank you Rachel 🙂
This is such a sweet post – small things that matter not just for children but to all of us. I’m going to take some of these acts on in life more generally.
Thank you Lilly! You’re so right, we could apply these to everyone in general, and just be more kind to all the people in our lives.
This is gorgeous! I think so many of these points apply to all the people we love, the big ones aswell as the little ones!
Thank you Sammie, and you’re right, the big people deserve some love and kindness too 🙂
What a wonderful list and a timely reminder for me. Thank you x
Thank you Bele! I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
Love the little things. A good reminder to slow down and linger longer:)
Me too Rebecca – it’s the little things that make our kids feel good, not “stuff” 🙂
oh I love this! So beautiful 🙂 I try to do as many of these things as possible every day. Although its not so hard for me to remember, I love my girl so much! .. I may need reminding when she’s a toddler though…
Thank you Lu! Oh my, the toddler years are a challenge sometimes – it’s good to have a reminder for hard days!
I love this Christine – Parent Educator, Maggie Dent calls these Mirco Moments that we share with our kids during the day and touch is super important here, as well as non-verbal communications like the smile and holding hands. Thanks for sharing such a lovely post.
Hi Anna, I didn’t realise thats what these moments were call – thank you!!
I have recently just learnt how to juggle two children’s needs on this front. Or maybe I should say I am still learning. Not sure if it is possible to have it completely right all of the time. Sharing the love around, especially with a newborn, can be tricky but I’m doing my best. Great tips here Christine.
Thank you Karin. I think we are always trying to get it right – not just with our kids but with everyone in our lives. All we can do is our best 🙂 I’m glad this post was helpful to you. Thank you for dropping by.