Working Moms: Too Busy for Your Children?

17 Quick Ways to Strengthen the Bonds of Love

On Mother's Day, we celebrate the most important job on the planet.

Most moms appreciate being acknowledged, but many still feel overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life. They would like to fit more time with their children into their busy schedules, but don't know how.

The solution may be easier than you imagine.

The most important thing you can do for your child is to create and nurture a strong, loving relationship between the two of you.

Here are 17 easy ways to strengthen your connection with your child:

The good news is: they don't take much time.

  • Always smile when your child comes in the room.
  • Hug at least once a day. For older children and teens, who may be embarrassed, do it in private. Try telling them YOU are the one who needs it.
  • Schedule time every day to connect with your child - to talk about how their day went or perhaps read together or play a short game of his or her choice. Regularity is more important than length of time.
  • Include your children in your daily activities: Let them help in the kitchen or the garden, but keep the atmosphere light and the conversation easy - no scolding or criticizing.
  • Make up poems or stories together - taking turns adding a line. Laughs are guaranteed.
  • Use words of encouragement rather than criticism.
  • If your child needs correcting, do it gently, in a way that teaches, without scolding or put-downs.
  • Ask your children's opinions often - about little things and also more important issues. Let them know you value their ideas.
  • Watch TV programs together that will help your children to learn about life, then ask their opinion and talk about the issues from the show.
  • Speak to them with courtesy: Say "Please" and "Thank you," and use kind words.
  • Apologize when you have been wrong. Show them we all make mistakes.
  • Write a note to let them know you're thinking about them ? perhaps with a joke or funny message - and hide it in their lunch box, book bag or a dresser drawer.

  • Don't expect them to be perfect.
  • Forgive easily ? then gently help them learn from their mistakes.
  • Let your children over-hear you praising them to someone else.
  • Create a bed-time ritual. It may include reading a story or poem, saying a prayer, remembering loved ones, talking about the day, singing a song, making funny faces or anything that helps you end the day in a positive way.
  • As you are falling asleep, think of something you appreciate about your child. Feel your love, and send some of it silently to your child.
  • Sweet dreams.

    For a free e-book, "How to Get the Best from Your Children," and for more information on how to create harmonious relationships with your children, you may go to: www.feelgoodparenting.com.

    Pat and Larry Downing of Asheville, NC, have many years of experience counseling teenagers and their parents, conducting family mediations and leading workshops and support groups. They are co-authors of the e-Book, "Feel Good Parenting: How to Use the Power of Your Heart to Create an Extraordinary Relationship with Your Child."

    Copyright ? 2005 by Patricia Downing

    PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on websites, provided you include ALL the above information about the authors, as it appears, including copyright information and live website link.

    expert residential cleaners Park Ridge ..
    In The News:

    The Omoway Omo X features a modular design, obstacle detection and emergency braking, and can drive itself to charging stations, signaling the future of smart urban mobility.
    PillTrek, a tiny wireless smart capsule created by Caltech, provides real-time gut health data by detecting electrolytes, metabolites, glucose, hormones, pH levels and temperature.
    Learn to spot fake bank text messages with five warning signs of Chase phishing scams, including suspicious links and urgent deadlines designed to steal your account information.
    Robot coyotes built on motorized cars reaching 20 mph are being deployed at military airfields as an innovative solution to wildlife threats to aircraft safety.
    Explore Google Drive's strengths and weaknesses as a backup solution, including its encryption security, privacy concerns and comparison to dedicated backup tools.
    As environmental challenges grow, underwater habitats gain momentum with DEEP's Vanguard, supporting short missions and Sentinel designed for 28-day stays at depth.
    The new Urban Eyes safety vest features dual cameras, reflective panels and a wireless remote to deter harassers and provide peace of mind for outdoor workouts.
    The $200 billion data broker industry tracks your personal details across websites, posing privacy risks that can be mitigated through data removal services.
    UCC Holding has teamed up with COBOD to create desert-inspired, 3D-printed schools in Qatar, featuring dune-like wavy walls impossible with conventional construction.
    Darkling beetles equipped with microchip backpacks can be guided through disaster areas using electrical signals, offering a biological solution for search and rescue.
    Scammers use number porting to take control of outdated landlines still connected to financial accounts, bypassing two-factor authentication to steal funds while avoiding detection.
    Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey developed Bitchat, a privacy-focused messaging app that works offline via Bluetooth without requiring email, phone numbers or personal data.
    Google is making a push to ensure its AI, Gemini, is tightly integrated with Android systems by granting it access to core apps like WhatsApp, Messages, and Phone.
    A new green energy system is set to change how we capture clean power, and it all starts with the ocean. French startup Seaturns has designed technology that taps into the natural motion of the sea.
    Cybersecurity researchers are warning that hackers have started exploiting flaws in chatbots to carry out AI phishing attacks.
    Google has just made it easier than ever to regain control of your inbox with Gmail's new Manage Subscriptions tool.
    Despite the benefits, residential power saver programs come with several potential drawbacks and concerns that have been raised by both customers and experts.
    The Blackdot AI tattoo machine is quiet. It's steady. And according to early users, it hurts a lot less.
    Attackers have started to exploit the very signals that users assume will keep them safe when it comes to add-ons to improve productivity or entertainment.
    Located on Cerro Pachón in Chile, the world's most powerful digital camera is set to transform how we see the universe.
    The innovative DQ Tower stands 28 feet tall with 420 square feet of living space, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and premium amenities in a prefabricated design.
    A new mmWave imaging system allows warehouse robots to scan and create 3D models of objects inside sealed containers, potentially revolutionizing shipping processes.
    Family fraud endangers seniors when relatives exploit their trust, but removing personal data online and monitoring identity can prevent financial harm to aging parents.
    A study analyzing 500,000 customer service interactions shows chatbots struggle with complex issues while human agents excel at matching customer communication styles.
    Aigen's Element robot uses solar power and AI to provide farmers with a sustainable alternative to herbicides, working efficiently in cotton and soy fields.

    How A Home Water Filter Can Reduce Your Child?s Risk Of Learning Disabilities

    Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More

    Helping Your Children Develop Their Self-Discipline

    We want our children to do the right thing, especially... Read More

    A Mothers Love

    Once upon a time there was a beautiful bird whose... Read More

    How To Develop Your Babys Brain

    Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to... Read More

    5 Solid Reasons: Why Your Child Can Be An Achiever

    All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More

    You Goofed? Hip, Hip, Hooray!

    Certainly we all want our children to excel. But it... Read More

    Empty Nest Syndrome

    Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More

    Why A Father Is Not A Dad

    It can be said that any man who procreates is... Read More

    Parents Need to Vent Anger! Try These 4 Steps to Serenity

    Parents are losing their self-control to anger. A friend called... Read More

    Top 10 Mistakes by New and Expectant Dads

    From criticizing a spouse, to claming up about one's own... Read More

    Raising A High Maintenance Child

    Do you have a high maintenance child?"Thank goodness my second... Read More

    Ten Tips to Stimulate Your Newborns Senses

    A number of scientific studies have shown the way a... Read More

    A Dads Thoughts On Dads day

    21 Reasons I Love Being A DadWhat you will read... Read More

    Children?s Birthday Party Planning: When and When Not to Have a Big Party

    Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only... Read More

    Childrens Allowance

    When we consider that the word allowance means, "allowing for,"... Read More

    A Dangerous Environment

    The internet is a dangerous place for your children. Don't... Read More

    Being A Mum - It?s About Them And Not About You!

    So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More

    Is There Any Real Use For A Fun Quiz?

    Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More

    Parenting Your Teenager: How to Respond to Manipulation

    Q. My daughter has gotten very good at manipulating us,... Read More

    How to Talk to Your Kids About Suicide: New Study Says it May Make Them Less Likely to Consider It!

    This year alone, 1,600 teenagers aged 15 to 19 will... Read More

    7 Ways Busy Families Can Volunteer

    Volunteering together is a fantastic way to spend time as... Read More

    Gifted Children - Getting the Balance Right

    One of the challenges for parents with a gifted child... Read More

    Three Sure-Fire Ways to Teach Your Child About Safety

    Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More

    Discipline on My Mind

    I look out of the window as I am writing... Read More

    How Children Can Read Faster and Better

    For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More

    green cleaning service Park Ridge ..