Love Connections

Life is just so busy busy! Do you ever stop and suddenly realize that you haven't connected with your child for a few days. I'm referring to a real, meaningful, emotional connection. Perhaps you have been distracted, stressed or simply going through the motions of daily activities and commitments. Whatever the reason, it is so easy to lose that connection . Of course, we all focus on the "must-haves and must-do's", such as meals, clothing, homework, fetching -and-carrying, but we can so easily neglect the emotional stuff.

I find that my little one asks for that meaningful connection. When he asks, or usually demands my attention, as busy as I am, I respond to him. Sometimes he brings me a book to read; other times he just wants me to pick him up for a cuddle and I automatically engage with him. A hug, a kiss, a quick swing around the room. On the other hand, my older son is for the most part pretty independent and just gets on with things. It's him that I really need to connect with more frequently. Those connection moments so easily slip through the cracks. So here is my first quick and easy, but effective idea for love connections everyday.

Love letters...

These are so easy...grab a small note and jot down a positive message...something to make your child feel loved and special. It doesn't have to be pretty. I just like pretty! Then post it. Pop it into a lunchbox, put it on their pillow before bedtime, next to the cereal bowl, on the bathroom mirror...anywhere!

(My son's friends admittedly teased him when I popped it into his lunchbox, so that was not such a good idea for his age group. I have a friend, however, with daughters of the same age and she says that the girls just love it.)

Here are some suggestions for love letter writing. Start your letters with the following:

• I/We think...
• I feel...
• I love that you...
• You are...
• Always remember...

In your letters you can express your feelings towards your child, give positive affirmations, acknowledge behaviour or character traits that you like, or leave little bits of reassuring advice. Have fun writing yours...I did mine! I will post some more quick and easy love connections soon.

PS. I would like to acknowledge that my inspiration for the photographs in this post is from Katherine Marie, photographer extraordinaire! If you would like to visit her, pop over to katherinemariephotography.com