Tell Your Child: I Love You
Tell your child:
I love you
I love you no matter what
I love you even when you are angry with me
I love you even when I am angry with you
I love you even when you are far away. My love always stays with you
If someone would tell me to choose any child in the world, I would choose you
I like you to the moon, stars and back
Thank you
I liked playing with you today
I love watching you doing something (draw, swim, run, etc.)
My favorite part of this day was when we were doing something together
You make my heart sing
Let your child know:
The story of how she was born or adopted
About the way you were cuddling with her when she was a baby
The story of how you chose her name
About yourself at her age
The story of how your and your spouse met
About your favorite color
That sometimes it is hard for you too
That when you hold her hand and press it 3 times, that means “I love you”
Listen to:
Your child while driving
What your child is saying about his toys, and how it is important for him
Your child one minute more, than your patience allows you
The feelings which are behind the words of your child
Ask your child:
Why do you think this happened?
What would be if…?
How should we find this out?
What are you grateful for today?
Show your child:
How to do something instead of forbidding it
How to fold clothes
That you love your spouse
How to crazy-dance
How to build a castle from pillows and blankets
That it is important to take care of yourself
Find the time to:
Watch constructions together with your child
Watch flying birds
Engage your child in a cooking process
Do something at a speed your child is comfortable with
Sit next to your child while he is playing
Listen to a street musician
Hug him
Make your child a little happier by:
Putting food on his plate in a smiling face shape
Accompanying your actions by funny sounds
Playing with him on the floor
Pretending to be a lion
Let go of:
Guilt
Your thoughts about how it could be
Your desire to be right
What can you give your child?
Look at your child with kind eyes
Smile when he enters the room
Make sure you and your child have connected before teaching him something
Give you child the opportunity to deal with his anger himself before helping him
Find other different ways to be kinder to your child
Written by E. Makarenko, translated by Ksenia LL