by Samantha on December 21, 2018
Making time to share time and interests with your child refills the love-tank and lets you bounce back after struggles. Small moments in every day, every week, keep us connected. Small moments mean the connections do not have to be complicated to be powerful; they can be something like:
- Stop and make eye contact over breakfast
- Find a funny meme to share a smile together
- Put your coat on backwards for a silly laugh together
- Put a note of appreciation on the bathroom mirror
- Notice something your child does well that might not normally get noticed and ask them about it
- Interrupt dinner prep and give a hug
- Make up a special word or phrase to share that means “I love you”
- Take a walk together and share what you notice
- Sit and make plans together for an adventure
- Join your child in something he or she enjoys and share the excitement
- Playing simple games your children make up and direct
- Find ways to help others together
All of these moments in time are the heartbeats that keep us connected. This heartbeat tells our children that we’re there for them, we’re available, we see them, we love them. What keeps you connected?
by Samantha on December 20, 2018
This Attachment Parenting International post was compiled from some APtly Said contributions that help AP parents navigate holiday challenges in the midst of celebrations: co-sleeping while traveling, maintaining balance with so much going on, nurturing a new baby, and much more. Enjoy this helpful series and your holidays–and search APtly Said and AttachmentParenting.org for even more holiday helpful posts!
Thankful – Even young children can learn how to be thankful for what they have this holiday season.
Attached During the Holiday – Learn how one family stays attached during the busy holiday season.
The Giving Tree – One mom shares her family traditions and asks you to share yours.
Creating Holiday Traditions – Every year you have the opportunity to create a new holiday tradition, what do you have planned for this year?
Attachment Parenting Makes the Holidays Easier – Babywearing leaves you with two hands free! What other ways has attachment parenting made your holiday season a little bit easier?
Holiday Expectations Denied – How do you handle it when your holiday plans don’t go as expected?
A Foundation of Trust – Santa or no Santa? Weigh in on this issue.
Guiding Children to Associate the Holiday Season with Giving – The holidays are more about giving than getting; help your children embrace this idea.
AP Picture Books Make Great Holiday Presents – What holiday list would be complete without a gift recommendation?
Ringing in the New Year – A New Year’s Resolution for each of API’s Principles of Parenting.
If you have an attachment parenting-related holiday post that you’d like to submit to APtly Said, please email info [at] attachmentparenting [dot] org.
Making time to share time and interests with your child refills the love-tank and lets you bounce back after struggles. Small moments in every day, every week, keep us connected. Small moments mean the connections do not have to be complicated to be powerful; they can be something like:
