"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." - David Viscott
How A Parent's Affection Shapes A Child's Happiness For Life
"How often do you hug your children?
We all live busy, stressful lives and have endless concerns as parents, but it is clear that one of the most important things we need to do is to stop and give our kids a big loving squeeze. Research over the past decade highlights the link between affection in childhood and health and happiness in the future.
According to Child Trends – the leading nonprofit research organization in the United States focused on improving the lives and prospects of children, youth, and their families – science supports the idea that warmth and affection expressed by parents to their children results in life-long positive outcomes for those children.
Higher self-esteem improved academic performance, better parent-child communication, and fewer psychological and behavior problems have been linked to this type of affection. On the other hand, children who do not have affectionate parents tend to have lower self-esteem and to feel more alienated, hostile, aggressive, and anti-social. "
This week's featured article highlights research showing the impact that affection from parents has long-term on our children and shares ways we can incorporate it into our lives. [Read Article]
We all live busy, stressful lives and have endless concerns as parents, but it is clear that one of the most important things we need to do is to stop and give our kids a big loving squeeze. Research over the past decade highlights the link between affection in childhood and health and happiness in the future.
According to Child Trends – the leading nonprofit research organization in the United States focused on improving the lives and prospects of children, youth, and their families – science supports the idea that warmth and affection expressed by parents to their children results in life-long positive outcomes for those children.
Higher self-esteem improved academic performance, better parent-child communication, and fewer psychological and behavior problems have been linked to this type of affection. On the other hand, children who do not have affectionate parents tend to have lower self-esteem and to feel more alienated, hostile, aggressive, and anti-social. "
This week's featured article highlights research showing the impact that affection from parents has long-term on our children and shares ways we can incorporate it into our lives. [Read Article]
Reading Corner
Title: Hug
By: Jez Alborough
Ages: 1-3 years
"Ever feel like you need a hug? A really big hug from someone who loves you? That's how Bobo, the little chimp in this book, feels. Walking through the jungle he passes lots of creatures enjoying a cuddle together: elephants, chameleons, lions, giraffes, hippos – even the snakes have got someone special to squeeze. But poor Bobo is alone. Will he ever find the hug he needs? Using only the single word "hug" throughout the book, this simple, endearing story is told through Jez Alborough's gorgeous, detailed artwork." -- Publisher
By: Jez Alborough
Ages: 1-3 years
"Ever feel like you need a hug? A really big hug from someone who loves you? That's how Bobo, the little chimp in this book, feels. Walking through the jungle he passes lots of creatures enjoying a cuddle together: elephants, chameleons, lions, giraffes, hippos – even the snakes have got someone special to squeeze. But poor Bobo is alone. Will he ever find the hug he needs? Using only the single word "hug" throughout the book, this simple, endearing story is told through Jez Alborough's gorgeous, detailed artwork." -- Publisher
Recommended by Kindful Kids Editors
Be the Change
Next time you find yourself in a challenging moment with your child, try sharing your affection with him/her as the conversation concludes, showing them that they are always loved.
