The 364 Other Days
When we add children into the Valentine's Day mix, sitting down with them and making Valentines to give to their friends may be the smallest part. How thoughtful, warm and loving you are to your grownup Valentine and your children the rest of the year makes a lasting, lifelong impression.
- Say I love you every day to your partner so the children hear you.
- Be supportive through everyone's ups and downs.
- Pay close attention when your children are talking to you.
- Make time to be alone with your partner and time alone to do something with each child.
- Apologize to partner and children if you've forgotten something they asked you to do.
- Always thank your family helpers as you would someone you hired to do a task.
- Stop what you're doing to give special hugs and kisses…
…just double those up on Valentine's Day. The day is not all about sweets, it's about being sweet and loving every day and your young sweethearts-in-training will get the message.
To receive a free sample chapter of Little Things Long Remembered, go to: www.susannewmanphd.com
Social psychologist and parenting expert, Susan Newman, specializes in issues impacting family life. She is the author of 13 books including The Book of NO: 250 Ways to Say It-and Mean It and Stop People-Pleasing Forever (McGraw-Hill), the now classic, Little Things Long Remembered: Making Your Children Feel Special Every Day and Little Things Mean a Lot: Creating Happy Memories with Your Grandchildren (Random House/Crown); and Parenting an Only Child: The Joys and Challenges of Raising Your One and Only, among others. For more details, go to www.thebookofno.com or www.susannewmanphd.com
