How to Really Love a Child

Be there
Say "yes" as often as possible
Let them bang on pots and pans
When crabby - put yourselves in water
If they are unlovable, spend some time loving yourself
Realise how important it is to be a child
Go together to a movie theatre with your pyjamas on
Read books out loud - with expression and joy
Invent pleasures together
Remember how really small they are
Giggle a lot
Surprise them
Say "No" when necessary - decently, respectfully
Teach yourselves about your feelings
Heal and love your own inner-child
Learn about Better Parenting
Hug trees together
Make loving safe
Bake a cake and eat it with no hands
Go find (an elephant) and kiss it
Imagine yourself as magic
Build a house with blankets
Let your "angel" fly
Reveal your own dreams to them
Search out positives
Keep a gleam in your eye
Mail letters to God
Encourage being silly regularly
Plant liquorice in your garden
Open up responsibly to your child
Stop yelling
Express your love cleanly and a lot
Speak kindly
Keep toys in the bathtub
Hang upside down
Be ridiculous
Handle with care
If you have lost your sense of humour - go and find it
If they cry - hug them
If they want to talk – listen lovingly (don’t talk)
Look for sparkles
Dance

Acknowledgement: Dr Susann Vlok – LL Conf 2003