Kids have individual needs and love languages. Take the time to find each one’s love language and their special gifts, then take the time to foster them. Spend as much time with them as you can to grow their character and self-worth.

– Emily Scott – Renewed Hope Parenting

I pray they continue growing and learning about being a blessing to others. I ask my older kids (age 9,8 &6 year old) “what can you do to be a blessing?”, so that even when the situation is very self involved, they can reflect and be challenged to be others centered. Perhaps they can help clean up after church, or give a hug to someone who may need a little extra love, it just encourage a friend on the monkey bars at recess. Maybe they can offer help in the kitchen to someone who invited us for dinner, or maybe they can clean the mess of the other smaller kids who don’t know any better. We try and teach them that this is just a small way we can show Christ’s love to others, as He’s called us to.

Cynthia Reagan

My children each have their own song. It’s something special between the two of us. The songs happened to pop into my head when I first met them and I sang them night they were born. Whenever they are upset or sick I sing their song to them. It’s something special both they&l cherish.

Stacey Lynne Berube – Just Mommin Around

I’m never afraid to tell them I’m sorry. About anything. One time when the kids were little, the youngest did something that ended up with him in time out on the stairs. And then I sat myself down on the stairs next to him. When he looked at me and asked why I was there I said it was because I deserved to be in time out too, because I had not handled myself properly when he did whatever it was he did. I don’t even remember what he did or what I did (likely raising my voice), but he sure remembers us both sitting on the stairs in time out.

Gillian Tetreau –Mom’s the Gamer

When my son is feeling really anxious (which happens often), he starts to panic. I calmly ask him what’s worrying him, and we talk it through. Trying to distract him or make him laugh makes him feel as if I’m not taking him seriously. By hearing him out, we can work through how he’s feeling and talk everything out. Just talking about it and acknowledging his feelings makes him feel heard, and calms him down. I think it also helps him feel more like an adult because I am not coddling him, but encouraging him to talk through his problems and come to the realization on his own that he is bigger than his problems. <3

Corinne Burghardt- Happiness In Homemaking

My tip is simple but it’s something I sometimes forget to do as often as I should: “Listen. REALLY listen. Not just to the emotional stuff either — the silly every day stuff. Next time they’re babbling on about the ENTIRE PLOT of that movie they just saw or (in the case of my toddler) going into a very in-depth story about how they saw a tiger at the playground yesterday, it’s important to look them in the eye while they’re talking and listen. Really listen. No “uh huhs” while you’re washing dishes, or switching laundry over, or checking your email on your phone. Just you, listening to them.”

Rigel Celeste  – Holes In Your Socks

When my kids have something on their mind, I listen. I look at them, and hear them out, I make eye contact and patiently wait as they try and articulate what they are feeling. I don’t interrupt or react, and I find that they come to me more often (than my hubby) about things because of this. I teach them words for their emotions, and reassure them that those feelings are okay to feel, but there are proper ways to react to those emotions, and it takes practice. I try and show them that I am a safe place to come for anything or to talk about anything, or with any problem they may have. I reassure them that they are not alone, I thank them for opening up, and I try and share a story or something that expresses how I can relate to them. “I was called 4-eyes when I was a kid, too, honey. I know how it can hurt feelings and make us feel embarrassed about wearing glasses”.

Cynthia Reagan

When my toddler do something bad that make me angry, I ask her to go to her bedroom and sit calmly for “quiet time” for a few mins and me, take a deep breath until 2 of us ready, i will talk to her and explain her why she need to have “quiet time”.

Sella Tania – The Moms Life Cycle

Whenever your child is having a tantrum, take a breath and calmly ask them if they need a hug. My boys always say yes and then we both feel better.

Mikele Burcaicea-Ibrahim

We do celebratory dances when someone succeeds because somethings are worth public celebration sometimes, and I want them to see, with their on eyes that actions are very powerful.

Cynthia Reagan

Acknowledge and discuss emotions. If your child is acting out, there is often an underlying reason. It isn’t coddling to talk feelings out, and it will instead help you to raise a child who is very emotionally in tune with him or herself!

Aubree Lee Parker – A Mothers Field Guide

Lately I have been trying to find ways to make the mundane, every day things fun, and it makes the day more entertaining for both me and my 2 year old! Whether it’s playing peek a boo in the check out aisle, telling secrets on a walk to the park, or dancing & singing at the top of our lungs in the car, I’ve found that my mood and energy really affect my son. 💗

Lauren Hilger – Lauren Hilger & Co

This is maybe obvious but we also say “I love you” a lot in our house, and give lots of hugs and kisses. Most of the time my son says “no” and pretends to grimace (already can you believe it!), but then out of nowhere he’ll give me a kiss or say “you you” and I know he gets it

Lauren Hilger – Lauren Hilger & Co

I try and make sure my kids know how much I love them. I tell them regularly, kiss them all the time, hug them like nobody’s business, I find their eyes and blow them kisses randomly. I hold their hand just because, tickle them when they are brushing their hair and least expect it.

Cynthia Reagan

Every night, my daughter and I do “Roses & Thorns”. We talk about the best part of our days (the roses) and the not so good parts (the thorns). It’s a simple way to connect, and it’s a way for me to know what’s going on in her life in a way that makes her feel comfortable opening up to me. I always want her to know she can talk to me about anything, so I think starting that kind of ongoing conversation at an early age is really important 🙂

Corey Wheeland – The Nostalgia Diaries

My kids are 9, 11, and 13. When they were younger we did one on one slumber party nights. Now we do one on one dates. Time to focus and connect on their needs uninterrupted.

Sybil Jones – Mamas and Coffee 

Let the kids pick the place, or pick somewhere you know they would love. They will cherish these times. These are great for Moms and Dads, especially when you are expecting a new baby into the family.

WhateverMoms

Bed time stories, stories throughout the day, whatever you are doing, take time throughout the day and Stop, Drop, & Read! This works no matter what age your child is. Especially in a day where technology rules.

WhateverMoms

Tip: Let you toddler read the book to you wrong.. We’ve been reading books together since my son was 4 mo. now at 2 yrs and 4 months.. he wants to read the book to me; which really means pointing out and speaking the things he recognizes; we don’t read the stories or print anymore ( which I really really miss) but I also realize it’s important for him to express his knowledge; and I see his eyes gleaming when he shows me the bears/bees/butterflies all mixed up. So, if you want to be that 1 person your teenager can confide to; you have to start from the beginning, and bite the tongue. 

Kanal Grewal – Nested Blissfully 

I have 4 daughters between the ages of 4 and 11. As they are all growing and changing, I realized that I needed a separate way to communicate with each one of them individually. So I made a “mommy and me” journal! It’s a composition book and they can write (or draw for the younger ones) WHATEVER is on their minds, good or bad. They can write in it at any time and they leave it on my bed so I know there’s a new message in it. When I write them back, I leave it on their beds. No one is allowed to read the journal but that individual daughter and myself. It has worked sooooo well!

Tina Harper – Dream Free Art

I would say as a tip, I try to say yes to something they ask me to do with them no matter how busy I am. Not every time but carve time for their important things (ie. reading a book, watching their tv show, cooking dinner with them).

Heather Hamman – A Cup of Heather

One of my constant forms of encouragement comes in the form of “show me how you do it, because I know you can!” This usually comes when they don’t want to clean their mess, or tie their own shoe. And it gives me the opportunity to push them a little, and then praise them. Even if they failed, I can praise their efforts, and if they did succeed, I can praise their success.

Cynthia Reagan

Prayer is a powerful thing, whether you believe in the power of prayer or not. It teaches them to vocalize, that they are heard, and to care for others. When they are having problems, frustrations, won’t eat, won’t go potty, stop and pray out loud with them.

WhateverMoms

We pray with our kids at bedtime, and mealtime, and teach them how to pray and thank God for His provisions. We encourage them to pray for one another, and for those around us who need prayer. Sometimes when we hear an ambulance, one of our babes will volunteer to pray for the people who might be hurt, and for the EMTs who will be helping.

Cynthia Reagan