Ways To Make Your Child Feel Special

According to Leigh Leverrier, a family life coach in the Washington, D.C., area, who says, "Children feel special when they are respected, noticed, listened to, and heard." This can be as straightforward as hearing "what your child says and mirroring back what you hear to acknowledge his or her thoughts," Leverrier adds.

Create little morning moments

First thing in the morning can be a wonderfully effective time to connect with children, especially when they're going to school and won't get to see you all day.

~Walk her fingers over his legs and feet to wake him up. 

~Take your child’s feet, puts one up to your ear and the other in front of your mouth, and talk to your child’s tummy and head.  Ask the tummy, “when  they think he will wake up.”

~Spend a little quality time each morning with your child having coffee and hot coco/milk together. 

~Watch your child’s favorite morning show instead of the news.  Turn on Sesame Street, Nick Jr., or Sprouts.  

 

Snuggle and cuddle

Karen Maezen Miller, says that physical touch is essential to making your child feel connected and special.  "Take every opportunity to impart security and steadfast love with the pure joy of your physical touch: a hug, a tickle, a single finger to hold onto. Get close," she says.

~Take the time when your child falls asleep in your bed or in our arms as to snuggle.

~Story time is a great time to cuddle and snuggle with a good book. 

Make up special stories

Children love being the center of our attention. If your child has the chance for just a moment to be the hero in her own story, it will likely become her favorite bedtime story.

~Create a story about your child.  Use photos and props. 
~Create a s story about your child’s favorite toy, stuff animal, or blanket.  Make it come to life.  Give it a voice and personality.  

Ask for help

It's all too easy to treat a child like a child and do everything for him. But including him in your tasks can instantly make him feel important and special.

~Let your child choose what's for dinner now and then.

~Let them add items to the grocery basket while shopping.   

~Allow them to pick out their clothes, dress themselves and walk out the door with  it on. 

~They could help out in the yard when dad is mowing or mom is planting.  

Break the rules

Kids love to break rules. Sometime its innocent and fun.  

~ Imagine how fun it would be just to have waffles for dinner.

~Let them stay up past bedtime and watch a movie with Mommy or Daddy.
~Give them a skip school and work day once a year if they keep their grades up. 
~Go get ice cream after dinner when everyone in the family is having a bad day
~Let your child have a brownie for breakfast. 

Use your words

Parenting experts agree that while it might feel most natural to say "I love you" or "I'm proud of you," focusing on the you instead of the I can make your child feel special.

"If you want to raise your children's self-esteem, you don't want them to be overly concerned about your pride," explains parenting expert Marilyn Suttle in Michigan. "Try focusing on their own pride by saying something like, 'You must feel so proud of yourself!' "

~Repeat positive thoughts and ideas such as: You can do it, I will help, It's okay to take your time. 
~Another fun way to acknowledge your children is to let them hear you praise their good behavior in front of the people they love and admire.
~Mention their achievements at the dinner table.

And just pay attention to the little things

No matter what, parenting experts agree that sometimes it's the smallest, simplest things that make our children feel so good.

~Make your kids feel special by giving them unique nicknames: "Pumpkin Doodle "The Muffin Man" and "Mr. Giant."
~Put notes around the house, car, in their back pack, or under their pillow just to say hi.

~Get involve with your child’s after school activities or/and field trips. 
~Stop whatever you are doing for 5 minutes and play, read, and tickle your little one when asked.   
~ Notice what they like and get involved.  If you know your children like dancing to a certain commercial.  Dance with them when that commercial comes on.  Or sing along to let your child aware that you notice their favorite commercial/song is on. 

~Even just using the word "special" can make your child feel special.