Lessons of motherhood, No. 10: The No. 1 medicine is love

By Errin Stevenson

March 20, 2008 | Love is the strongest medicine, treat, and gift we can give to a child.

It is very important that we always show our love to our child throughout their entire life, especially childhood. Sometimes as mothers and fathers we feel we are just not up to par on the little deeds we do through the day like always having their diaper changed, forgetting to feed them on time, or dragging them around with us every where we need to go even though our child is exhausted. No parent can be or is perfect. But, love is always the most important deed and to your child, makes you perfect.

Ways we can show love to our little ones is by responding to their cries as infants, playing and holding them in their middle months of life, and talking, listening, and guiding them through their early childhood. It is important that we always show love through discipline too. Kidshealth.org said, "It's important to not spank, hit, or slap a child of any age. Babies and toddlers are especially unlikely to be able to make any connection between their behavior and physical punishment. They will only feel the pain of the hit."

As parents, we want the best for our children. We want them to live a happy life and to be successful. We have a large responsibility to lead our children in those paths. Therapist, Leslie Karen Lobell, M.A., said in her article "The Greatest Gift We Can Give To Our Children, "It probably would not be an exaggeration to say that over 95% of the problems that clients bring to therapy - be it relationship problems, depression and anxiety, substance abuse, career indecision, or general dissatisfaction with one's personal or professional life - have some link (often a primary one) to a lack of self-love. This lack of self-love generally begins in childhood." I am amazed at this quote and how so many people are afflicted by their childhood. It is a perfect example to say to us all that the world depends on family and the relationships within.

Love is a very important part of a child’s life and we as parents should be the best givers of love. So, have fun with your kids! Take them on adventures, play every minute you can and always show them that you love them. So, when they leave your home, sooner then we can imagine, they can leave with only the fondest memories of mom and dad.

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