Love Every Day: 5 Simple Ways to Show Your Kids You Care with Moments of Love and Appreciation

Valentine's Day is a lovely reminder of the power of expressing love and appreciation.

However, the essence of this day doesn't have to end when the chocolates have been eaten and the flowers begin to wilt.

As parents, we have the unique opportunity to extend these gestures of love and kindness to our children throughout the year, nurturing their emotional growth and strengthening our family bonds.

With this in mind I put together five simple yet impactful ways to have regular moments where our kids feel loved and appreciated

1. Embrace the Art of Craft Together

Time is always short for us parents. So don’t set overly ambitious projects but kids do love to do things alongside us.

Engaging in DIY projects like card making, painting, or building something out of recycled materials is a fantastic way to spend quality time together. This not only fuels their creativity but also teaches them the value of handmade gifts. It's a wonderful way for us to show love through shared activities

Here are 4 simple ideas

A really simple card for a loved one,

• ‘Junk modelling’ which uses a toothpaste box, a hummus pot – anything to create a model. Use masking tape to stick everything together.
• Create a menu for a meal of their choice– use stickers, coloured pens, collage
• A nature collage – collect sticks, flowers, leaves and stick them on paper
• Homemade playdough – email me [email protected] if you’d like a great recipe

2. Make Mealtime Special

Who says heart-shaped pancakes are only for February 14th?
Surprise your kids with fun, shaped meals whenever you can. Use cookie cutters to transform ordinary sandwiches, fruits, and even veggies into shapes that amuse them. It's a great way to add a touch of love to their meals and the surprise makes them feel so special.

3. Create Adventures at Home Two simple ideas:
   
   Make a treasure hunt: Hide little chocolates around the house as a really simple treasure hunt, if you want to go one step further, write some clues for them to find.

   Hold a surprise movie night to reward a tough week at school. You might regularly watch an episode of their favourite show or film but you can easily spice it up by having everyone get in pyjamas, getting a big blanket and making a bowl of popcorn to go with it. 

4. Foster an Atmosphere of Appreciation  

A "What I Love" jar can be a year-round tradition. Encourage your kids to write down something they're grateful for each day or once a week, you could focus it on on family members, friends, or even themselves -so they could pick from: 'What I love about you/me/my life'. This practice not only boosts their emotional intelligence but also creates a treasure trove of positive affirmations that can lift spirits on challenging days.

5. Have a mini spa

Transform bathtime into an oasis of relaxation with a homemade spa night. Infuse the bath with child-friendly bubble bath  and perhaps add a couple of candles for a soft, soothing ambiance. After the bath, wrap them in warm, fluffy towels for a special cuddle. You could then offer a gentle massage to help them wind down from the day. If they enjoy the sensation of having their hair dried, a warm blowdry can be a fun and pampering end to the spa experience. It’s a perfect way to bond and give your child some special attention, teaching them early on the importance of self-care and relaxation

Final Thoughts

Integrating these practices into our daily life can help build a foundation of love, respect, and mutual appreciation within our family. I don't tell you this to make you feel guilty if you've been really stressed by juggling everything, or have been snappy with the kids, I just want to encourage you to take one small idea from the list above and try it.

As parents we are so often focussed on getting through the routine and feel stressed when our kids ignore us or dawdle but I really noticed with my kids, when I implemented some of these ideas above, it had such an important impact on and the overall happiness of a family and their levels of cooperation.