Valentine’s Day is coming and I’m sure that you’re thinking up wonderful ways to celebrate with your partner, spouse, or friends but have you considered using the holiday to encourage your children to embrace all their loving relationships? From the time I was a toddler, my father would carefully pick out a card to give to each of his daughters on Valentine’s Day. They always featured a poem and were signed “Love, Dad”. I received one of these cards every year without fail, even after I moved out, went to college, and got engaged. The simple action of giving me a card on Valentine’s Day was my father way of showing me that I didn’t “need a man” on this holiday.
Yes, a romantic Valentine’s with the one you love is fantastic, but so is knowing that a lot of people out there love you and think you’re great. Valentine’s Day isn’t just about being boyfriend/girlfriend, it’s about loving everyone you have a special relationship with.
Valentine’s Day is coming and I’m sure that you’re thinking up wonderful ways to celebrate with your partner, spouse, or friends but have you considered using the holiday to encourage your children to embrace all their loving relationships? From the time I was a toddler, my father would carefully pick out a card to give to each of his daughters on Valentine’s Day. They always featured a poem and were signed “Love, Dad”. I received one of these cards every year without fail, even after I moved out, went to college, and got engaged. The simple action of giving me a card on Valentine’s Day was my father way of showing me that I didn’t “need a man” on this holiday. Yes, a romantic Valentine’s with the one you love is fantastic, but so is knowing that a lot of people out there love you and think you’re great.
Want to help encourage your child to recognize and celebrate everyone who loves them and they love back this Valentine’s Day? Here’s a bunch of options for every budget and age group:
Newborn – 4 years:
- Create a card or piece of artwork using paints and handprints. Bonus: Paint the bottom of a baby’s feet and use them to make a “heart” print on a piece of paper.
- Encourage your children to remember to show their pets some love, too. A special treat, an extra-long walk, or cuddles can strengthen that bond.
- Take your child to the store and let them pick out a card and candy for someone special.
- Help them save up their allowance to buy a card or small gift for a relative or friend.
- If you are crafty, make a heart door hanger from some fabric, filler, and a ribbon (you could hot glue it together if you don’t sew). Add a message in marker!
- Help you child in the kitchen and make heart shaped pancakes or biscuits for a yummy breakfast with family.
- Start a tradition where you and your children “adopt” a family or elder and shower them with flowers, cards, and gifts.
- Pick up the phone and call loved ones. Bonus: do a video chat with the whole family!
I love it when a holiday allows me to not only celebrate but also teach my daughter and son an empowering message. My husband and I have passed along my father’s Valentine’s Day card tradition to our littles and it warms my heart every year. What will you be doing to encourage your kids to show a little love this year?
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