February 14 is the big love day. People will give cards, candy, flowers and other gifts but there are more opportunities to show some ‘healthy’ love for your children. Here are 14 ways that will enable you to do simple yet loving things your children will remember and maybe even share with their own children later.
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Dance with them. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams is the most infectious and happy song. His website 24 Hours of Happy provides dancing and clapping moments of happy to share with your little ones. Dance with them. Clap with them. It’s the greatest exercise.
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Sing with them. Do they have favorite children’s songs or hymns? Stage a good old-fashioned sing-along with them. Be loud too.
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Wake them up gently. If they are accustomed to the mom alarm (yelling), give them an alternative. Here are a few gentle wake-up calls. Create one of your own.
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Have them choose their favorite fruit and veggie in the produce section. Give them a say in making healthy food choices. It also gives them something for themselves that they are free to share.
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Go for a walk with them. Walking is a great form of exercise but it also is a great time to show them how to enjoy simple pleasures and to chat.
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Show them how make their own healthy snacks. Do an in-home cooking demo.
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Create a goodnight ritual. Turn off the devices, yours too, and anything that is distracting. Snuggle with them and maybe enjoy a glass of milk and a cookie before bedtime.
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Create a Valentine’s Day craft with them to give to someone like grandma or an elderly neighbor.
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Charge their day with a heart-felt pep talk before they leave home. The Kid President says we all need a pep talk. Watch his video.
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Teach them some of your childhood games. Do children still hopscotch? Double-Dutch? If not, teach them a few things.
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Interview them about them. Ask them 20 questions and if they’re game, videotape the answers. This exercise will give you a chance to memorialize their likes and dislikes.
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Let them interview you.
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Tell them what you really like about them as people.
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Take them out on a date. Dress them up, you dress up and go out on a date. Hold the door for them, pull out their chairs in a restaurant…treat them like a date.
These are my 14 Ways to Show Love; what are yours? Tell me in the comment section.
Meet Nurse Nicole M Brown 