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Hugs: A Parent's Secret Weapon

post #1 of 8
Thread Starter 
Hugs: A Parent's Secret Weapon
by Colleen Langenfeld
Copyright (c) 2004

It has happened again.

Another summer has whizzed by. My kids are another year older.

With two children grown and another two still under my wing, I have come to appreciate my fleeting opportunity to BE THERE for my young charges. To form and nurture a lasting relationship with each of them.

Frankly, I've come to see that a simple hug is a very powerful thing.

That being said, I would like to offer you a few compelling reasons to hug YOUR precious ones every single day.

Hugs....

- lower your blood pressure. Or at least feel like it.
- nurture a team spirit. The family team, that is.
- are free. So do it twice.
- are what kids honestly crave. No matter what they say!
- get kids' attention. And open their ears.
- can melt multiple harsh words. For both you and your child.
- make you smile! And it's tough to stay angry when you're smilin'.
- model generosity of spirit. Give and you shall receive!
- are the right way to welcome home someone weary from his or her day.
- feel GREAT!

Many scientific studies have shown the positive effects of hugging. More importantly to me, I've seen the positive effects in my own family.

As parents, we sometimes grope for the right words to inspire our children. We question our own choice of disciplinary tactics. We agonize over our apparent inadequacies in this most important of jobs.

So hug.

Hugging is virtually always helpful (especially when our children claim to not want it); soothing, comforting, and very hard to over-do, as long as you are sincere.

Best of all, when the hugs start coming back at you, you'll know why 'Mom' or 'Dad' is the best title in the world!
=========================
Colleen Langenfeld offers helpful ideas to busy working moms. Use our resources at http://www.paintedgold.com to make your life feel easier, healthier, and smarter.
post #2 of 8
post #3 of 8


Definately agree with that!!!
post #4 of 8
As they get older too, you get few hugs and when they are in the huggy mood take advantage of it as best as you can. Seems like yesterday that is all she wanted to do and I would get tired of it now days she does not want to do it to much and I want to hug.
post #5 of 8
Yeah I know that I was the same way as I got older. I remember that I used to always want my daddy to give me hugs when I wasn't feeling well and he got tired of it (I assume) and then it took a lot of work to get a hug from me as I started to age.
post #6 of 8
Submitted before I was finished... oops


Now a days I am definately huggable and I am cherishing all of the ones I get from the kids.

It is kind of like saying "I love you," kids start to feel embarrassed by it as they get older... I know I went thru that... Now I say it everytime I get off the phone or anything with a good friend or family member.
post #7 of 8
Thread Starter 
Me too, Diana. Drew is rapidly approaching the age where he doesn't want me to hug him too much. And I kinda miss it already. So I definitely try to take advantage of it when I can.
post #8 of 8
I guess all when can do is respect them when the time comes with the realization they will go back to it again... just hopefully sooner than later...

Of course I hope to instill the importance of hugs to Alexis b/c I know I would've hated myself if I hadn't come back to hugging before my grandma passed away!!!
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