My son’s kindergarten teacher has been teaching at his school for 21 years. She homeschooled her two boys and is a wealth of wisdom.
Frequently she sends home great little handouts with nuggets of wisdom. I thought I would share one with y’all that I find myself thinking of often.
It’s entitled: “50 Ways to Love Your Children” and was written by Steve Stephens in “Stories for the Family’s Heart”.
I would suggest printing off the list. **Update: here is a printable version. 50 Ways to Love Your Children ** Then go through and mark the ones that come naturally. Then go back through and star the ones that you could easily start doing. Then circle the ones you need to be more intentional in implementing. Maybe even plan ahead for something special this weekend? Ok go!
50 Ways to Love Your Children:
1. Hug every morning.
2. Go to zoos, parades and amusement parks
3. Hang their art and awards on the refrigerator
4. Create family traditions
5. Be patient
6. Apologize when grumpy
7. Go camping
8. Play tic-tac-toe and hide ‘n seek
9. Always carry Band-Aids and gumdrops
10. Know their strengths
11. Compliment them
12. Encourage them
13. Appreciate them
14. Eat meals together
15. Slow down
16. Respect their privacy
17. Listen
18. Don’t discipline in anger
19. Be consistent
20. Say “I love you” frequently
21. Let them be silly
22. Accept imperfections
23. Reward good behavior
24. Explain the rules clearly
25. Laugh often
26. Go to their favorite restaurant
27. Invite their friends over
28. Buy ice cream cones
29. Go on vacations
30. Know when to be gentle and when to be firm
31. Make birthdays unforgettable
32. Teach responsibility and respect
33. Choose your battles
34. Don’t embarrass them
35. Help with schoolwork
36. Protect them
37. Build memories
38. Keep promises
39. Say “no” when needed
40. Don’t yell
41. Give gifts
42. Model virtues
43. Pray with them
44. Pray for them
45. Talk with their teachers
46. Tell them your proud of them
47. Reach out
48. Count stars together
49. Talk every bedtime
50. Let go with a blessing
love it!
What a great idea! I must do this!!
Love this!!
I love, love, love this, Heather!
Some that resonated with me were:
36. Protect them
37. Build memories
38. Keep promises
39. Say “no” when needed
40. Don’t yell
42. Model virtues
43. Pray with them
44. Pray for them
45. Talk with their teachers
46. Tell them your proud of them
Thank you!!!