5 Free Gifts to Give Your Children…
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Encouragement – Be a Barnabas for your kids. Tell them how much they’re valued and loved, and show them their precious worth. How? Through scriptures such as Psalm 139, through hand-written notes (try a family mailbox project for this!), through “invisible” messages written on their bathroom mirror with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol then wait for a hot, foggy shower to reveal it, or sweet, spoken words.
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Praise – Finding fault is easy. Finding things to praise might be more challenging but much more pleasant. Look for opportunities to praise your kids for the goods things that they do, whether it is helping someone, being patient, being respectful, or just cheerfully obeying.
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A Listening Ear – Kids can talk your ear off, but if we don’t take the time to listen when they’re little, they may not be so eager to talk to us when they’re older. Make a point to stop whatever it is you’re doing, get down on eye level with them and maintain eye contact as they talk to you about whatever their little heart is full of at the moment.
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Time – We might spend a lot of time with our kids, that is, in the sense that they are with us a lot, but they need us to spend time focusing just on them. Make a date with each of your kids separately to do something with them. It can be a fun event, getting their favorite treat to eat, or a time to go and do acts of kindness for someone. Believe it or not, kids enjoy working together with you and helping others with you. Then follow it up with a treat for both of you!
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Prayer – This may seem like a given, but I’m referring to a specific way to pray – out loud, and in front of them. While this may seem awkward if you are not used to it, what a lasting, memorable gift it will be to our kids to hear us lifting up their name to Almighty God, asking for his blessing and guidance on our little loved one. Be specific in prayer requests, including thankfulness to God for them and the special person they are.