When I am working on something, Joel seems to get exceptionally clingy. If I sit on the couch and do nothing, he’ll play by himself all day, but as soon as I start working on something, he wants me to pay attention to him.
I have found that if I stop what I’m doing for a minute, get down on his level, look him in the eyes, and give him a hug, he gets over his clinginess and goes off to play. Sometimes I have to do this several times before I’m finished with whatever I’m working on, but he just needs to know I haven’t forgotten about him.
In parenting, it’s so important to remember our priorities. Cleaning the kitchen is important, but letting my child know that I love him and that I will stop what I’m doing to meet his needs is more important.
Kids understand love through actions – they don’t know that you love them because you say, “I love you.” They know you love them because you make their lunch, wash their clothes, play with them, and read to them. Ask your child how he knows you love him, and he will tell you all the things you do for him.
We need to express love to our children in their love language – that means showing them they are at the top of our priority list through our actions.
All you have to do when your child is pestering you is get down on his level, look him in the eyes, and give him a hug. He just wants to know you haven’t forgotten about him.
[photo from jupiterimages.com]
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