Table of Contents
Dedication
to my three very dear granddaughters
Sienna Cecilia Lansky India Cecilia Lansky Belize Cecilia Lansky
...and their terrific parents, Doug and Signe, who are quite wonderful at letting their children know they are loved
Introduction
Although it’s an obvious thought, I was surprised to learn from an incident with my young daughter that using the words I love you to express “I love you” wasn’t always enough. She had been a bit low for a day or two, and while the “I love you’s” and hugs were there for her, they didn’t seem to lift the cloud that hung over her.
After one particularly pleasant day, I told her when I tucked her in that night how much I had enjoyed her that day.
For many days afterward she would ask me, “Are you enjoying me?” Fortunately, I could answer YES! It was like flipping a light switch inside her.
There are so many ways to let your children know you love them. Love is shown with affection, laughter, in private times together, in hugs and kisses and in 101 other ways, such as you’ll find in this book.
You may not wish to use all of these wonderful ideas, as they will not all be comfortable for you or appropriate for your child’s age. But I do think you’ll find many new and special ways to tell your child, “I love you.”
Have a terrific time with those you use...and come up with on your own!
Vicki Lansky
Have a secret I LOVE YOU signal, maybe three squeezes of a hand, a V-sign with your fingers, or touching your nose and then your child’s nose.
Spontanous gestures let your child know the fun side of love. Dad, stop in the middle of shaving to give a surprise shaving-cream kiss to your watching child...
or stop in the middle of a bedtime story to give a big I LOVE YOU hug and kiss — just because you couldn’t resist doing it!
Make up a simple love song with your own words to an old familiar tune, such as this one to the tune of “Frère Jacques”:
“I love Indie, I love Indie She’s a dear, she’s a dear What a lovely daughter, What a lovely daughter! Glad she’s here, glad she’s here!”
Learn to say I LOVE YOU in sign language.
Share a special verse to let your child understand just how wonderful he or she is to you.
Make up a photo album of your child for him or her to keep (kids love to look back on the “old days”) or a scrapbook of first drawings and other precious memorabilia. Or help your child produce a ME book, complete with old and new photos, a list of hobbies, interests, toys and pets.
Leave a small surprise gift, such as stickers or a new marker, in an odd or unexpected place — in a pocket, a lunch box or even in the refrigerator.
When asked “What for?” answer, “Because I love you and I wanted to do something special for you.”
Lie outside on a blanket with your child on a fine summer night and watch for shooting stars.
Look steadily into your child’s eyes, smile but don’t say a word, for a few moments.
There is no more loving gift than listening. Listen not only with your ears but with your eyes.
Draw a heart and the words I LOVE YOU on the back of your child’s hand with a ballpoint pen. It’s both naughty and nice!
Come up with a new anagram for your child’s initials. For instance, Adrienne Gail Smith’s initials might stand for Always Giving Sunshine or Sky Allan Lewis could be:
Create an annual day for your child (‘Doug’s Day,’ for example) on which your child has special privileges such as being the last to go to bed, answering the phone, or pushing the elevator button. This makes a nice half-birthday celebration.
Plant a kiss on your child’s palm and roll his or her fingers tightly to “hold” it safely for later use or whenever it is needed.
Buy or make personalized gifts: anything with your child’s name on it makes it special...
from personalized barrettes and special-ordered pencils to iron-on letters on jeans or back packs.
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