As a parent, there's no greater joy than nurturing a strong, loving bond with your children. While it's tempting to focus on major milestone moments like a trip to Disney or an extravagant birthday party, often, the best way to show love to your child is through small, thoughtful acts.
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, we're exploring everyday connection ideas and toddler bonding activities you can do to strengthen your relationship with your kids: like leaving little notes for them to find, creating "hug and kiss" coupons, and planning a day of mischief-making — among other easy-to-incorporate ideas!
No matter what adventure you choose, as long as the goal is to show your kids how much you love them, you'll be nurturing a sense of security, love, and belonging that will shape their childhood.
Join us as we explore 10 everyday ways you can show your little ones just how much you love and adore them!
Leave them love notes
A love note has the ability to bring a smile to anyone's face, no matter how young or old they are. Express how much you love your kiddo through the written word or a little doodle and tuck the note into their lunchbox, backpack, pocket, pillow, or anywhere you know they'll discover it.
The words can be as lengthy or as simple as you'd like; what matters is the simple-yet-meaningful gesture of showing them how much you adore them and think of them, and inevitably their confidence will bloom.
Make mementos together
Time goes by in a flash, which is why it's important to take time to document the memories you're making every day. Decide on memory-making projects you and your kids can tackle during the week, like handprint or footprint art, Tinybeans posts, physical photo albums, baby books, scrapbooks, or toddler memory boxes that commemorate all the joyful milestones you've made as a family.
Not only will the nostalgia-evoking task honor your family's past, it's also a great way to show your kids just how much they mean to you in the present.
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Try affection coupons
It seems easy to shower your loved ones with hugs and kisses, but inevitably the hustle and bustle of life happens and sometimes our days go without a smidge of affection. That's why "hug and kiss coupons" are the perfect way to incorporate moments of physical connection, and it's wonderful to cash in these daily vouchers when you or your kids need an extra squeeze or a snuggle.
You can invest in some pre-made affection coupons on places like Etsy and Amazon, but we recommend making them together to spend time connecting and crafting.
Enjoy one-on-one time
If you're a parent of multiples, chances are you know the real struggle of getting one-on-one time with each of your children. But every day presents the opportunity to make a change, and one great way to create a meaningful connection with your kids is to spend one-on-one time with them, even if just for a few minutes.
We recommend finding everyday time at home by talking to them on the changing table, cooking with them, reading at bedtime, snuggling in the morning (in matching jammies, of course!), playing all-ages-friendly games, or asking each other questions about life or your day. Your kids will feel important and special with the undivided attention, and you'll get to disconnect from outside distractions like work and social media.
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Aim for little daily surprises
Little surprises delight and make everyday moments feel extra special. Find ways to surprise your kiddos every day - perhaps by playing peek-a-boo with the baby, picking a stuffed animal to hide and find around the house, leaving little notes or doodles, putting treats in their backpacks, or making their favorite meal or dessert.
You could also create a surprise jar full of their favorite snacks and trinkets, or plan a special outing together. Incorporating a bit of whimsical surprise into everyday life will remind your kids just how much you think of them all the time!
Plan for mealtime catchup
When you're busy getting home from work, getting dinner ready, or trying to get everyone off to bed, it's all too easy to ignore catching up with your kids, but it's so important to talk to your kids and ask them about their lives. Make it a tradition to pick one meal a day, whichever is most convenient and non-stressful, to ask your kids, even the babies, questions and catch up on life without phones or technology present.
Not only will this help you be "in the know" in their lives, but it will demonstrate to them that family time is sacred and that you truly care about their thoughts and feelings.
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Invent a secret language
When life gets a bit absurd, it's nice to bring levity into the mix. Perhaps there's a way you can communicate with your kids in a secret language when the day is hard by creating a secret handshake, code word, or nickname so your kids will know they're part of a special connection, and that together you can tackle anything.
Brainstorm some fun ideas and let your kids decide how they can communicate with you in their own special way, with you and only you. Even babies can communicate through sign language, so if your kiddo isn't even talking yet, maybe teach them a sign that you two can use together.
Introduce weekly traditions
Keeping up with new habits isn't easy, which is why it's great to start small with traditions or rituals you want to seamlessly incorporate into your life. We recommend coming up with connection-enhancing traditions once a week to do with the family, perhaps with a weekly movie night, pizza night, game night, family walk, crafting, and other engaging, connection-encouraging adventures.
Before you know it, you'll have a cherished tradition that brings joy, excitement, and strengthens your loving bond.
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Follow their lead
As a parent, it's natural to want to take control, but if you want your kid to feel empowered, confident, and loved, it's great to let up on the reins. Every day pick a time to let loose and let your kid take the lead on an activity. Maybe they want to build with blocks or play pirates or princess dress-up.
Perhaps they want to bake cookies, or they want you to listen to them while they read aloud. Letting your kid take charge not only instills them with confidence, but it also lets them know you value what interests them most.
Get silly together!
Laughter is often the best way to communicate how much you love someone. Find time every day to create a little mischief with your kid, whether that's playing tag outside, playing pranks on other family members, creating a silly dance routine, having a laugh-out-loud joke session, and other hilarity-inducing activities.
These underrated little moments of light-hearted fun and playfulness bring so much joy and closeness to a parent-child relationship.
Every household is different, so remember these suggestions are just general ideas on how you can foster more connection in your household.
Whatever feels right and seems easy enough to incorporate into your family's everyday routines is what matters most, so don't be afraid to experiment, adapt, and make these everyday connection ideas completely your own.
Happy Valentine's Day to you and your loved ones!
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