How do your children know you love them? Well, if you want an honest answer, all you have to do is ask them. That’s what I did with my kids a few years ago. I first asked Megan… “Megan, how do you know I love you?” “Because you tickle me,” she said. So I said, “what if my hands were tied behind my back and I couldn’t tickle you, then how would you know that I love you?” She said, “because you spend time with me.” Then I asked Emily, “Emily, how do you know that I love you?” “Because you say so.” “Well what if my lips were zipped together and I couldn’t say so, then how would you know that I love you?” “Because you play with me.” My son, Marky was next… “Marky, how do you know I love you?” He looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and said, “I don’t know.”Do your kids know that you love them? Do you show it with your actions…by being affectionate with them?
Here are a few things you can do to show affection. Wink at your daughter across the dinner table. Hold her hand. Give big hugs to your son. Develop a bedtime tuck in routine. With Emily, I say “I love you the most.” She says, I love you more.” I say, “no, Iove you more.” She says, “I love you more than the world,” then I say, “I love you more than the Universe.” No matter what your routine is…
Be playful and affectionate with your children. It will go a long way.
Until next time,
Mark
