Creative Ways to Show Love To Your Child

Shila said:  Who doesn't love getting notes? It can mean a lot to discover a personalized note discretely slipped under the bedroom door, placed atop a pillow, or inside a lunchbox, etc. Remind your kids that you love them, wish them good luck, give a compliment, draw a silly smiley face, stick a post-it to their mirror to remind them that they are beautiful, etc., whatever feels right!

Shila said:  In a planter or in your backyard, reserve a spot just for you and your child's special flower garden. Or, if you can, plant a tree in their honor. When I was a child, my parents planted a Maple tree on my 7th birthday. I watched it grow every year, and eventually it grew to surpass me in height by the time I was a teen. Today, it's well over 40 feet -- yet it will always be my special seeding! ;)

Shila said:  My kids love to fall asleep reading chapter books in bed at night, so I like to surprise them with a swap of special bookmarks now and then. You can make your own origami style, or simply write something meaningful on a piece of card stock. In the past, I have slapped together bookmarks with old baby photos on them and ones from our family travels. May their last thought before falling asleep be a reminder of our family's love for them!

Shila said:  Start a fun way to celebrate your child's birthday at home and keep up with these family traditions! Some ideas can include breakfast in bed, streamers and banners, a balloon bouquet, homemade birthday cake, etc. "Little things" like these are always continually helpful to showing kids you love them -- and love to celebrate them, too!

Sarah Calamita said:  A great addition to your child's lunch box if they can read!

Shila said:  Show your child love by spending extra time with them! Stay up late and have a special sleepover with him or her. You'll have all night to play games, watch your favorite family movies, sneak some junk food, tell stories with flashlights, etc. Happy giggles come out in full force around midnight!

Shila said:  Show that you love your child even when you're not with them! If you get the chance to obtain any treats while at work or while at lunch with friends, why not bring an extra plate home to share with your kids? Pack up an extra slice of cake from the office work party. Or, order an additional dessert to-go from a nice restaurant at your next moms night out. It's a thoughtful way to show your kids at home, love.

Shila said:  Love your child from the kitchen! There's a reason why "comfort food" is considered comforting. Beyond that, you can show your child love by preparing their favorite meals, baking extra special desserts, or order-in delivery from their favorite restaurant.

Kelly R. said:  If your family mostly does outings all together, try scheduling regular opportunities for mom or dad to do something special with each child independently. You might take your child out for a dinner for two, get a manicure together, or visit a coffee shop and read books or play games together. That one-on-one interaction can be harder to come by in a busy house, and I find that the behavior (and conversation) tend to be much better when siblings aren't in the mix.

Kelly R. said:  I have found that long after kids are confidently reading on their own, they still love being read to sometimes! Taking the time to snuggle up and read to them shows that your focus is on spending time with them, and it's really fun to get into the story (and the voices!) together. Find a good read aloud chapter book, and you'll have an easy excuse to spend special time together over multiple nights and weeks.

Shila said:  Show your child you love them to the moon and back! Wherever you are in the world, look up and see your shining star! Head outside at night to identify one particular star alongside your son or daughter. Nickname that star in your child's honor. You can name entire constellations, too. For example, if you have two kids, one can be "The Big Dipper" and the other, "The Little Dipper."

There are fee-based websites that offer opportunities to certify naming rights within a star registry, too.

Shila said:  Does your oldest child face strict rules, while the younger one receives greater flexibility? Maybe your first-born child receives novel attention while the middle and younger children experience a bit less? As a parent, consider acknowledging this perceived inequity and show some love that'll make each of them feel special in their own right!

For example, perhaps take your youngest shopping for brand new clothing (instead of a full closet of hand-me-downs). Show your oldest children some love too by revealing "big kid" privileges like exclusive family secrets or including them in on vacation planning.