All you need is love

All you need is love

Kisses and cuddles – affectionate touch is especially important as they grow older. A pat on the shoulder or sideways hug works for older children who have arrived at the age of being ‘embarrassed’ by their parents!  

Tell them that you love them...often.

Show pleasure in their achievements and how they are developing capabilities. Encourage having a go at new skills and let them experiment doing things their own way.

Take time to listen – let them try to explain what they mean before interrupting or correcting.

Comment on pleasing behaviour and say exactly how they have impressed you, not just ‘well done’.

To relax before sleep time, lie on the bed and take it in turns to remember something happy that occurred during the day.

Be a regular (but quiet!) spectator at school sports or other school events – their self respect grows when you watch them perform.

Spend some time together over a snack or meal – talk about their interests and invite opinion  eg the latest school yard craze, your favourite footy team, what’s on for the next few days, what to buy grandma for her birthday...

Play! Either indoor (games nights, chess, dress ups) or outdoors (kick to kick, or throw a basket ball or netball around).

Be available. If you are pressed for time and cannot stop (and after all, children also need to accept that parents are not always at their beck and call), agree on a time when you can stop - and stick to it.   

Order brochures and resources free online from NAPCAN

– the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.