Here are a few easy tricks to make your child smile.
- Go for a walk with just one child.
- Slip a note (and an occasional piece of chocolate ) into their lunch box.
- Say “yes” to something usually off-limits, like sitting on the counter.
- Show as much enthusiasm on amusement-park ridesas they do.
- When their room looks like a tsunami swept through it, close the door and get on with your day.
- Skype or do FaceTime with Grandmaevery now and then.
- If your child has given it a good try, but he’s still miserable and anxious and really, truly wants to quit the team, give him your blessing.
- Go ahead: Let your 4-year-old stomp in every puddle along the way. Even without rain boots.
- Take in a pet that needs a home and a child’s love.
- Give your toddler a chance to fight his own battles in the sandbox or on the playground before you intervene.
- Cultivate your own rituals and traditions: Taco Tuesdays, Sunday-afternoon bike ride, apple picking every fall. Our tradition is Pizza Night on Fridays J
- Ask your kid to teach you how to do something for a change. And once you get the hang of it, be sure to tell him what a good teacher he is.
- Let your child wear their dress-up clothesto the supermarket. All month if she wants to.
- Let your child overhear you saying something wonderful about them.
- Stay up late to see the full moon. There’s one on October 27.
- Print their childhood photos so they have something physical to look at one day.
- Don’t be in a hurry to tell your kid to let it go. He needs to vent too.
- Crank up the music in the middle of homework and have a dance party.
- Make a secret family handshake.
- Hang a whiteboard in their room to leave messages for each other.
- Start a pillow fight.
- Share your old diaries, photos, and letters from when you were their age.