Showing Love in Tough Economic Times

Recently, our Executive Director was talking to a school principal, and the principal mentioned that he often sees students acting out because of the lack of love shown them at home. In tough economic times as we are in today, the situation gets worse as parents work more and longer hours or are too stressed out to give children attention. The great thing about loving our children is that affection and appreciation can be shown in so many ways - small actions can mean a lot and you don't have to spend any money! Here are some top ways to show your kids a little love during a busy week:

• If you both have cell phones, send periodic text messages such as "Thinking about U. I hope U R having a good day. Love U!" or "Just want you to know how much I love and appreciate U! You are incredible!"
• Pick up an inexpensive card or send a free e-card through Hallmark, 123 Greetings or other websites that offer them.
• When you do have time together, focus on your child - smile, acknowledge them, look in their eyes, take five minutes to ask and listen about their day.
• Celebrate their birthday in whatever fashion you can afford whether it's a family party, a party for friends, a doughnut with a candle and a favorite meal, taking your child and a friend to a matinee movie . . . the possibilities are endless as long as they focus on your child and what he or she loves.
• If you can't have dinner every night together, find one night during the week to have a family dinner or schedule another meal (breakfast, brunch, lunch) to sit and eat together.
• Build something together - a small project at home or participate in a free workshop day at Lowe's or Home Depot.
• Find a book or free magazine (Longmont library puts out free magazines for the taking under the stairs and behind the model train) or music with your child (what does your child have on his iPod or on her favorite CD) to share together.
• Take just seconds to tell your child you love them in words and with hugs- before leaving the house, dropping them off at school, when you get home, before bed. Never assume that your kids know how much you love them (especially when life is stressful!).
• Do a family activity together that you and your kids plan together. Don't let money be an obstacle - there are lots of free things to do in the area. Check out Upcoming Free Events and Longmont Mom blog. and the
• Be available whenever and wherever your kids want to talk. If you're in the middle of something, arrange a time to talk soon.
  
• Play together - it will help you relieve stress and show your child how much you love them. Don't know what or how to play? Let your child take the lead.
  
• Spend time with your kids individually and try to make this a daily event - 10 minutes after school, half-hour in the evening, an hour on Saturday morning.
• Be your child's biggest fan - see if you can have time to go to a school event or sports competition.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are so many small and meaningful ways to show your kids you love them and so many ways to fit them into a busy life. You can do it! What your kids really want is you; and the time you invest in your kids is so important to them and will payoff in the future if and when your kids have to make tough decisions about friends, school, alcohol, drugs, sex and being safe.