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Stonyfield recently shared this article from Babble, and it really got me thinking. Asking your child “How can I help you feel loved? may give you some answers you weren’t expecting!
I asked my seven year old: “how can I help you feel loved?” His first response was preparing food for the family. It’s funny, because it wasn’t what I was expecting him to say, but I’m still glad he appreciates my cooking (and the stash of Stonyfield YoKids Squeezers I keep for him in the freezer! 😉 He also said that giving him warm clothes and providing him with shelter were ways to make him feel loved.
I freely admit that his second answer was toys. I was happy though, because it opened up a discussion about how giving someone toys might not be the best way to show love– that there are other ways to demonstrate love for someone that are not attached to material things. This is an idea that we have been working on this holiday season and why we are still picking leaves off of our holiday giving tree!
In line with the fact that he is two years younger, my middle child gave a slightly different answer to the question of how I can help him feel loved. He is a child that is constantly providing hugs to his parents and younger brother, so he appropriately answered “hugs and kisses.” He also mentioned drawing pictures with him and taking him out to dinner (ha ha!).
I’m sure that when you ask your children this question, you will get all sorts of different answers, some of which you will find enlightening. It’s easy to get caught up in all of the drama in our adult world, especially during the holiday season. It’s nice to stop and talk with your children and keep things in perspective with regards to what they are thinking and how you can support them.
Asking your child(ren) this one question is also a great way to open up a dialogue. Everyone is so plugged in nowadays, that it’s nice to have a simple (yet deep) face to face conversation with your kids. So, here’s you homework assignment: some time today, make a point to ask your child “How can I help you feel loved?”
Whether it’s during breakfast, on the way home from school, at dinner, or before bed. Take time to have the conversation– you will both appreciate it! 🙂
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