Child Care and Preschool Guide
West Side Montessori
7115 W. Bancroft St., Toledo • 419-866-1931
13587 Roachton Rd., Perrysburg • 419-874-9385 montessoritoledo.org
Ages accepted: 13 months- 8th grade
Student/teacher ratio: The Little House (13 months-age 3) ratio is 1:5 to 1:7. The Children’s House (age 3-6) ratio is 1:12
Number of students: The Little House program- 76 and The Children’s House- 140
Average class size: Little House- 12 Children’s House- 24
Potty training available? We accept children in diapers in the toddler program and work with families on toilet training when the child shows signs of readiness.
Special Programs: World Language starts at age 3 in Spanish and French.
WSM offers a Music/Literacy program that incorporates singing and dancing where whole group and small group instruction is given to promote Shared Reading using the songs learned. After school programs such as yoga, ABC art, karate and Irish dancing are offered.
Temper tantrum remedy: Give young children reasonable choices. Start with two choices and build from there as your child matures. By setting your child up for success he will feel empowered and you will avoid power struggles that frustrate you both!
Recipe for success: Give your young child the gift of exposure to other languages and cultures from a young age and you will set her on the path to greater understanding, less fear of the unknown, and an openness to the future. You will give her a world view worthy of the future she will inherit.
Brainy Breakfast: Make it fun! Include your children in the planning, purchasing and preparing of breakfast. Look at grocery advertisements together. Make shopping lists together and try something new every week. Giving your child options, “strawberries or bananas,” helps foster independence and guides him in making healthy food choices!
Favorite way to teach ABC’s: Using the Montessori sandpaper letters to blend and form words by seeing the letter, touching the letter and hearing the sound the letter makes as the teacher models the sound.
Best Children’s Book: At the start of the school year moms and dads create a personalized book for their child to keep at school. It is full of pictures of their little one and the special people and activities that make up life at home.
Kidz Watch
6819 W. Central Ave., Toledo
419-843-2997
3150 Bostwick Rd., Perrysburg
419-874-9678
Ages accepted: 6 weeks-12 years (preschool 3-5)
Student/teacher ratio: 1:12
Number of students: 12-24
Average class size: 10
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? Yes
Special programs: Parent Portal for parents to monitor child’s progress and see messages from staff.
Best children’s book: If You Take a Mouse to School and No David!
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Letter of the week crafts, sensory box, songs, and stories.
Temper tantrum remedy: We get down on the child’s level and acknowledge his or her feelings and use redirection to introduce an alternative response. We also work with the children as a group to encourage everyone to talk about their feelings and help everyone understand their feelings and minimize temper tantrums.
Recipe for success: We teach the children to describe their feelings to the best of their ability and rely on giving praise and encouragement to help children feel successful. Patience and understanding from the staff also is a key success factor.
Sensational Kids Daycare & Learning Center
6060 Merger Dr., Holland
419-724-5434
sensationalkidsdaycare.com
Ages accepted: Infant to school-age
Student/teacher ratio: 1:5
Number of students: 130
Average class size: 14-20
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? Yes
Special programs: Occupational, Physical, Speech Therapy. Special Education Classes
Best children’s book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carl
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Singing and hands-on activities
Temper tantrum remedy: Positive reinforcement and praise as often as possible
Recipe for success: Positive attitude towards parents and children. Treating every child like they are special and can do anything they put their mind to. No matter what the needs are of the children it is up to us as teachers to find a way to reach them.
YMCA and JCC Child Development Programs
26 locations throughout Northwest Ohio
419-474-3995
ymcatoledo.org
Ages accepted: 6 weeks–12 years
Student/teacher ratio: Meet/exceed licensing standards through the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.
Number of students: Approximately 1,500 each day
Transportation available? To and from schools in 11 school districts
Potty training available? Yes. Staff assists in potty training when it is age appropriate.
Special programs: For preschoolers, the Y follows the Creative Curriculum featuring project-based learning and swimming lessons, Melody Hounds music curriculum are incorporated. For school-aged children, the Y follows the Cincy After School Curriculum based on the 40 developmental assets from the Search Institute. The curriculum is grounded in Appreciative Inquiry, a strength-based process focused on “finding out what works and getting more of it” rather than “finding out what the problems are and getting rid of them.”
Brainy Breakfast: Fruit and protein.
Best children’s book: Recommended by
Sarah Otis, vice president of YMCA Child Development – Love You Forever by Robert Muncsh
Recipe for success: “A great working relationship between the family and caregiver, the caregiver and the child, and the child’s ability to relate his or her experiences to his or her parent/guardian. The success of a child is built on relationships forged in early child development,” said Otis.
Toledo Public Schools
420 E. Manhattan Blvd., Toledo
419-671-8200
tps.org/school/pre-schools
Ages accepted: 3-5. Our program accepts children who have typical development as well as children who are eligible for special need services. Two sessions: Morning (AM) 9:30-12:15 and Afternoon (PM) 1:00-3:45.
Student/teacher ratio: Peer classrooms consist of both special needs (of various needs) and typical development students- 2:12. Self-contained classrooms contain additional support for our special needs students- 3:8. Autism classroom- 4:8.
Number of students: 429
Average class size: 12 students per session per class
Transportation available? Offered to students who are currently on an IEP and receiving services.
Potty training available? To be considered a peer, a child needs to be fully potty trained. If a child is eligible for services and has a current IEP, he/she does not need to be potty trained. Worked on daily with all students in the program as a part of the daily routine.
Special programs: Offered to students who are currently on an IEP and attending other community establishments such as Head Start
Brainy Breakfast: Snack that consists of a grain, dairy and fruit
Best children’s book: 3-4 year olds: Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London; Pre-K: Pete the Cat by James Dean
Favorite way to teach ABCs: 3-4 year olds: Songs, dance and play; Pre-K: Association with food
Temper tantrum remedy: 3-4 year olds: Bean Bag Chair. Pre-K: Tell the child you see they are upset and are ready to talk when they are calm. Allow them a safe space to be until they are ready to compose and discuss why they are upset.
Recipe for success: 3-4 year olds: Follow the lead of the child… they take you to their next stage of development AND a firm foundation of the teacher in child development birth to 8 years of age. Pre-K: Positive social interactions with both peers and adults.
St. Joseph’s Preschool
5411 S. Main St., Sylvania
419-882-9701
stjosephschoolsylvania.org
Ages accepted: 3-5 year olds
Student/teacher ratio: 18:2
Number of students: ODE Licensed for 105
Average class size: 18
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? Children must be potty trained
Special programs: Family Field Trips, Home Visits from Teachers, Children’s Art Show, Hands-on Activities that Support Our Catholic Faith
Best children’s book: Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Brainy breakfast: Fruit Granola Crunch Kabobs
Favorite way to teach ABCs: We use sensory motor activities involving all areas of development to support multiple intelligences.
Temper tantrum remedy: Each child has unique needs that must be taken into consideration with care and respect (i.e., patient, calm, conversation and redirection).
Recipe for success: We strive to instill in young children and families the importance of learning through play, empowering children’s intrinsic motivation to succeed.
Maria Early Learning Center
4651 Monroe St., Toledo
419-471-0170
mariaelc.org
Ages accepted: 6 weeks to 5 years
Student/teacher ratio: PreK- 1:14; 3 yrs Pre-school 1:12; Toddler 1:7; Infants 12-18 months- 1:5; Infants under 12 months- 1:4
Number of students: 91
Average class size: Different each day– maximum varies in each room (fewer in infant rooms, up to 28 in Pre-K)
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? Yes
Special programs: Music on Tuesday & Friday, Preschoolers have Religion on Thursday, Outdoor Garden
Brainy Breakfast: Chef frequently provides something hot (e.g. cream of wheat, mini quiche), and they always have fruit and milk. (Yes! Maria has a chef)
Best children’s book: Pete the Cat
Favorite way to teach ABCs:
Non-traditionally– “Environmental Print” method where teachers point out signs and the letters in the signs– that’s why they label everything at Maria!
Temper tantrum remedy:
No time outs. At Maria we are big on teaching self-regulation so children learn self-control to avoid meltdowns. Redirecting is another method.
Recipe for success: Caring, loving, kind teachers – Our teachers are here for the children.
Children’s Discovery Center
419-867-8570
6 locations to serve you
childrensdiscoverycenters.com
Ages accepted: 6 weeks-5 years; Before and After School 5–10 years; Kindergarten- Fourth Grade
Student/teacher ratio: Varies by age group
Brainy Breakfast: Fruit & Yogurt
Best children’s book: The Giving Tree
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Hands-on activities
Temper tantrum remedy: Patience & Love
Recipe for success: Autograph your work with excellence!
Gateway School
4650 W. Bancroft St., Toledo
419-536-6503
Ages accepted: 2½- 6 years old
Student/teacher ratio: 10:1
Number of students: 65
Average class size: 10
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? No
Special programs: Gateway has music and science programs daily
Favorite way to teach ABCs: With music
Temper tantrum remedy: Love
Recipe for success: Confidence & love
Best children’s book: Frog Trouble and Eleven Other Serious Songs by Sandra Boynton
EduCare Academy
806 Starr Ave., Toledo
419-704-2009
educareacademys.com
Ages accepted: 8 weeks- 12 years
Student/teacher ratio: All of our classroom ratios are under state requirements.
Number of students: 1500 students in 12 locations
Average class size: 7
Transportation available? Free transportation provided
Potty training available? Yes
Special programs: Participate in Step Up to Quality and Creative Curriculum
Best children’s book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Brainy Breakfast: Foods that are high in protein, eggs and milk, and healthy carbohydrates, such as, plain yogurt with fresh fruit, whole grain cereal or pancakes and oatmeal.
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Sing the alphabet song and make alphabet books with the children.
Temper tantrum remedy: They can be a normal part of learning independence and mastery. We acknowledge this with patience while working with the child.
Recipe for success: While children explore and discover in their daily activities, we will be their tour guide.
Olivet Christian Nursery
5840 Monroe St., Sylvania
419-882-4616
olivetsylvania.org
Ages accepted: 3-5, must be potty-trained
Student/teacher ratio: 9:1, 2 teachers are in each classroom, Parent Co-op (with an opt-out option)
Number of students: 75
Average class size: 18
Transportation available? No
School days: All classes run from 9am-11:30am. P1 program (3/4 year olds) is available Tuesday & Thursday mornings and P2 programs (4/5 year olds) are available 3 days a week (Monday Wednesday & Friday) or 5 days a week (Monday-Friday). School year runs September-May.
Special programs: Music program, enriched curriculum follows the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards which prepares children for kindergarten in a play-based setting, expansive indoor large motor room & fenced outdoor playground, Handwriting Without Tears Program, experienced loving staff.
Contact information: Jennifer Crooks offers private tours and can be reached at [email protected] for additional information
Small Beginnings Christian School
405 Sackett St., Maumee
419-893-8773
mysmallbeginnings.org
Ages accepted: Children who turn 3, 4 and 5 by September 30th
Student/teacher ratio: 3 year old class- 12:2, 4 year old class- 14:2, 5 year old pre-kindergarten class- 16:2
Number of students: Current enrollment is 99 students
Average class size: Current class size is 11-14 students per class
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? No
Special programs: We have a Pre-Kindergarten program. We are an Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services Licensed Center and a Step Up to Quality 3 Star Rated Center
Best children’s book: This year we love all of the Pete the Cat books!
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Letter of the week, use of letter people puppets, Frog Street Press Curriculum
Temper tantrum remedy: Loving care and use of cool down areas
Recipe for success: Small Beginnings Christian Preschool is an extension of the mission of the Maumee United Methodist Church. The Preschool is a place where children and families are touched with the love and grace of God and their faith is nurtured. We believe we must nurture the whole child; spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially and academically. We believe quality learning experiences foster the natural learning abilities of young children.
The Early Learning Center
at Penta Career Center
9301 Buck Rd., Perrysburg
419-661-6369
pentacareercenter.org
Ages accepted: 3 to 5-year-olds
Student/teacher ratio: AM Session 1:12; PM Session 1:14 (Each class has three to five student workers along with the lead teacher)
Number of students: 28
Average class size: 14
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? No
Special programs: In house field trips to the many career-technical programs offered at Penta Career Center
Brainy Breakfast: Green Eggs & Ham Sandwich with OJ
Best children’s book: I Love My New Toy! An Elephant & Piggie Book by Mo Willems
Favorite way to teach ABCs:
Dr. Jean’s Lettercise!
Sylvania Community Services
4747 N. Holland Sylvania, Sylvania
419-885-2451
scsonline.org/childcare
Ages accepted: Preschool ages 3-5, and Before/After School K-6
Student/teacher ratio: 1:12 for ages 3-5 and 1:18 for K-6
Number of students: 250
Average class size: 15 each in Preschool Classrooms and 36 each in Before/After School locations
Transportation available? No
Potty training available? No, do not offer Toddler care
Special programs: Music Appreciation, Healthy Living, Pen Pal with Senior Citizens, use of Creative Curriculum®
Temper tantrum remedy: Deep breath, lots of patience, and not taking it personally!
Recipe for success: Penta’s Early Childhood Education staff mixed with 28 preschoolers ready to learn, add in 30 excited career-technical students and stir with laughter and hard work, makes for one incredible learning experience!
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Visual hands-on materials, use of Handwriting
Maumee Valley Country Day School
1715 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo
419-381-1313
mvcds.org
Ages accepted: 30 months through Kindergarten
Student/teacher ratio: Preschool: 4.5 to 1; Prekindergarten and Kindergarten: 6.5 to 1
Number of students: Preschool: 14;
Prekindergarten: 19; Kindergarten: 21
Average class size: Preschool: 14; Prekindergarten: 20; Kindergarten: 20
Transportation available? Yes
Potty training available? Yes
Special programs: Kindermusik twice weekly (Preschool); Art, Music, and Physical Education 5 days/week (Pre-K & Kindergarten). Spanish instruction twice weekly for Pre-K and Kindergarten taught by certified Spanish language teacher. Home languages of our student body incorporated daily in all classrooms. STEM curriculum customized to all developmental stages and to each child.
Brainy breakfast: Cooked egg white “face” with fruit (fresh blueberry, banana, kiwi, or dried fruit) eyes, nose, and mouth. Top with a whole wheat toast “hat.” Low-fat milk to drink.
Best children’s book: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat (we love reusing and recycling!) by Simms Taback
Favorite way to teach ABCs: Finding the letters in printed words all around us, everywhere we go.
Temper tantrum remedy: Acknowledge the emotion behind the tantrum, sing a song to initiate a calm state and redirect the child into appropriate management of his/her feelings.
Babes & Sucklings Child Care Center
1558 Campbell St., Toledo
2369 Airport Hwy., Toledo
419-720-4321
Ages accepted: 2 1/2- 12 years
Student/teacher ratio: 6:1
Transportation available? Yes
Potty training available? We help with potty training
Special programs: After school tutoring
Best children’s book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Temper tantrum remedy: Show the other children something special in your hand, make it exciting and soon the other child will come and join you!
Recipe for success: Prayer and seeking the Lord for direction on each child, give them love, praise, attention, encouragement and learn to laugh along with them. state and redirect the child into appropriate management of his/her feelings.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Imagination Station’s newest exhibit, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, provides an opportunity to go behind the scenes of the stories and legends of the last century, as well as special events to help make history come alive.
From the beginning, visitors are swept back in time as they are handed a replica boarding pass bearing the name of a real passenger with facts about their life. They move through the exhibit experiencing the construction of the ship, life as a First, Second and Third class passenger and finally to that ill-fated night on April 14, 1912. Guests can touch a recreated iceberg to feel the chill of the last hours on the ship thought to be unsinkable. Then they can check the memorial wall to see if the passenger on their boarding pass was fortunate enough to make it into a lifeboat or perished with the ship.
“This exhibition allows the science center to bring science and history to the community in a compelling and unique way,” Lori Hauser, CEO of Imagination Station, said in a press release. “The artifacts and the stories that accompany them are incredibly interesting and show why the story of Titanic has fascinated the world for over 100 years. It’s more than a tale of a sinking ship. It’s an extraordinary tale of human endurance and often heroism.”
Artifacts resurrected from the sea floor housed in glass cases throughout the exhibit provide a glimpse into the life at the beginning of the century. Not only do they help tell the story, but a special room at the end shows how several of them were found with the wreckage and how they are preserved now.
For those wanting more than a typical tour, Captain Edward Smith, portrayed by Lowell Lytle, will lead tours on April 18 and 19, while retelling life aboard the ship, the captain’s role and what it is like to take a submarine down to the ocean floor to view the Titanic’s remains. History will also be complemented with the 1997 blockbuster tale of Jack and Rose on March 8. The Valentine Theater will show Titanic at 7:30 p.m. with science activities in the lobby before the show.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is on display from February 15 through June 15 with special events throughout. Ticket prices for members are $6.50, Adults 13-64 are $19.50, Seniors are $17.50 and kids 3-12 are $15.50. Tickets are available at Visitor Service and online and include general admission to Imagination Station. For more information visit imaginationstationtoledo.org.
February Health and Wellness
Understanding New Heart Disease and Heart Health Guidelines
The American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiologists released new prevention guidelines in November 2013 for physicians to help their patients avoid heart disease and stroke. “These guidelines are the result of experts poring over hundreds of clinical research studies and then developing recommendations about what works best,” reports AHA. The new guidelines focus on four areas: Cholesterol, obesity, lifestyle, and risk assessment.
Cholesterol
“Much of the conversation around these new guidelines has surrounded the recommendations for statin usage. Statins are medications that physicians prescribe to patients to help lower their cholesterol,” says Gopinath Upamaka, MD, FACC, a cardiologist with ProMedica Physicians.
Need-to-Knows for Mothers-to-Be
For most women, pregnancy is one of the most exciting times of their lives. With the thrill of expecting comes choosing the baby’s name and designing the nursery. The most important preparation to consider, though, is a healthy lifestyle.
The very basic steps that every woman should take when she finds out she is pregnant include:
-Maintaining a well-balanced diet.
-Taking a multivitamin.
Determining Your Ideal Weight
Setting a long-term goal weight is an important part of a weight loss plan. It can help you stay focused, push through challenges and celebrate success. But choosing your goal weight at random can be dangerous if the number isn’t a healthy one for you. Your age, gender, height, and body makeup should all factor into your ideal weight. And using a mix of tools can give you a better look at your health.
Here are a few tools that you can use to help assess your current weight and determine a healthy goal.
Body Mass Index
The number of pounds you weigh doesn’t mean much unless you have something to compare it to. Body Mass Index, or BMI, compares your weight to your height to determine if your weight is within a healthy range. If you are muscular, pregnant or elderly, BMI may not be an accurate tool. But, for most people, it can provide a quick weight assessment and an idea of what a healthy weight range for your height would be.
Use your weight and height to see where you land on this BMI chart.
28 ways to show your kids love
Your kids know you love them, right? I'm sure they could still use a few extra strokes or simple reminders of how important they are to you. Try some new ways this month to say "I love you."
1. Surprise them with a new game on Saturday morning. Enjoy donuts and hot chocolate while learning to play the game. Be sure to include the whole family.
2. Tell them the story of their birth. Show pictures of how they looked as a newborn and talk about who came to visit in the beginning. Make sure they know how excited you were when they entered your life.
3. Love them despite their faults. Offer them grace freely and often.
4. Find a unique quality about each of your children and praise them for it. Whether it's a sensitive spirit toward a sibling or a quick-to-forgive gesture toward friends, tell them how it makes them special.
5. Indulge in a child-specific treat and enjoy some one-on-one time together. Ask for input and make plans ahead so your child knows it's a special occasion.
6. Compliment your child in front of another adult. Be specific with an example of good behavior as you beam with pride.
7. Praise their efforts, not just results. Don't expect perfection on every chore or straight-A's on every report card. Let them know you notice when they do their best.
8. Let them pick their favorite book and read to them, even when you don't want to.
9. Play outside together on a cold day. Make snow angels. Go sledding one more time.
10. Accompany them to walk the dog. Ask about their day at school or a budding friendship. Listen more than you talk.
11. Allow them to be messy. Play with finger paints and play-doh. Go outside and spray silly string on each other.
12. Display their artwork on your refrigerator or window. Talk about what a great job they did and how you love to look at it every day.
13. Put a surprise in their lunch. Include a note that says, "I love you."
14. Get off social media and completely tune in when they're talking. Refrain from multi-tasking and focus on their needs.
15. Patiently help with homework. Don't raise your voice when you have to explain it one more time.
16. Ask for their ideas when you plan your next vacation. Look at fun places to visit on the computer and dream together for future trips.
17. Sit under the stars and talk about the beauty of God's creation.
18. Take off your serious hat and make them laugh. Tell jokes or watch a funny movie together. Tickle them until they cry.
19. Offer a no-rules day. Let your kids stay in their pj's all day and eat and play whatever they want.
20. Ask your child to sing to you. Join in and finish the song as a duet. Let your child know you love hearing her beautiful voice.
21. Surprise them with a simple gift through the mail such as a comic book, a glow-in-the-dark pencil, or their favorite player's card. Include a note of "I love you."
22. Make s'mores around the fire pit or roast marshmallows in the fireplace. Include a cup of hot cocoa or favorite beverage with it.
23. Start fun traditions for holidays and birthdays that your child can look forward to as a family.
24. Get to know their friends and encourage healthy friendships. Take everyone out for a movie
night or bowling night once in awhile.
25. Be their biggest fan. Let them experiment with sporting activities, music lessons, and other
extracurricular activities. Cheer them on as they seek to find what fits for them.
26. Allow them to be different from you.
27. Treat them with respect. Don't interrupt when they're talking. Ask for their opinion as often as possible and include them in family decisions as they get older.
28. Hug, kiss, and shower them with physical affection every day. Tell them at least once a day, "I love you."
Sidebar: Books to Help Your Kids Feel Loved
You Are Special By Max Lucado
Little Things Long Remembered: Making Your Children Feel Special Every Day By Susan Newman
101 Ways to Make Your Child Feel Special By Vicki Lansky
Oh, The Places You'll Go By Dr. Seuss
Gayla Grace is a freelance journalist who is always looking for new ideas on how to show love to her five children.
To The Moon And Back:
If love is a language, then teach your family members to become conversant. According to Gary D. Chapman in his book, The Five Love Languages, people experience love in five ways. We experience love through words of affirmation, by spending quality time together, by receiving gifts, by performing acts of service, or through physical touch. According to Chapman, every person on earth has a primary "language of love."
I understand what Chapman means when he says every person processes love uniquely. And I also think that there is much to be gained by playing around with all the love languages and encouraging members of our families to do the same.
Which acts of love make you feel seen, appreciated, and cherished? What about your spouse
and the kids? We can all learn to communicate what we like and need to our family members, so everyone can get their needs met and no one has to end up feeling misunderstood or neglected. Here are ten ways to increase family affection at home:
Set a loving example. If you want your kids to have self-esteem and so they can live the best lives possible, you have to teach them to love themselves first and foremost. Unfortunately, if the parents can't model this, the children are not likely to learn it, at least not from them. So, take good care of you first, and then take good care of your brood. Love yourself and care for yourself so you can best love others and care for others.
Personalize "I love you" for each family member. Childhood nicknames can create affectionate moments in later years. If calling your child by a nickname will offend, even in private, then express the sentiment in whatever way the recipient will hear you best. Forget how you want to say it, and opt for what will garner the most positive response from your child.
Don't forget, "We all love you." Get in the habit of speaking for the whole family. A family is a "we," and love goes at the center of this complex constellation. This does not mean your toddler, teen, or college grad will always be eager to express emotion. So go ahead and be the voice of the whole family, as needed. Then, once you have spoken for all, let even a begrudging nod of agreement be enough.
Love life and it will love your family back. Your attitude towards life is either going to inspire or haunt your family. You may think you are being realistic, but if you constantly chorus that life isn't fair, that money doesn't grow on trees, and oh well, it could have been worse, your kids are going to grow up expecting life to let them down. Sure, life can be a bumpy ride sometimes, but never forget that it's unconditional love and positive encouragement from the people we love most that makes the challenges more bearable.
Encourage family members to express what they need and want. You can't give people what they need and want if they don't know what that is. Offer extra support to a family member who can't identify what she needs and wants. Don't let her always sacrifice her opinion for whatever the rest of the group wants. Every member of the family needs to know how to dig deep and express her own point of view. If you ask for wants and needs, you'll encourage every family member to figure theirs out.
Spend quality time with each person in the family. Love should never be a competition. My daughter loves to spend daddy-daughter time with my husband, and I'm glad she does. They have the things they like to do together, like watching slapstick comedy shows on TV or going out to their favorite breakfast place. And my daughter and I have our favorite things to do like watching chick flicks or going shopping. Be sure to carve out quality time with every family member, including your spouse.
Teach kids to be caring to others. Teach kids how to make thoughtful gestures that make the most of their talents. Or get them out of the house and involved in assisting a good cause. If family members have trouble expressing care to each other, maybe they will have an easier time expressing affection and concern outside the family. If having you are around seems to make them less charitable, then let another trusted adult guide them.
Hug your family members at every age. It has been scientifically proven that hugging lowers blood pressure and reduces stress, so what more of an excuse do you need? If your older kids try to brush you off, tell them you have to hug them – it's for their good health. And, of course, encourage kids to receive hugs when they are struggling emotionally, so they don't become habitual sufferers.
Squeeze in small gestures of love. Find little ways to express physical touch, especially for those family members who try to shirk it. Squeeze a shoulder, pat a knee, rumple some hair, kiss your hand and then pat their cheek. And mix it up a little. It's when affection becomes rote that teens roll their eyes at you and groan. So, get creative and say it like you mean it. Catch them when they least expect it, and they won't have time to duck away.
Appreciate the attempt. Remember that there is no such thing as perfect families. Also remind yourself that sometimes love will flow more readily and easily between family members than other times. And when a family member tries to do something genuinely kind or nice, try to appreciate the sentiment behind the gesture. Don't let them be teased or called names for expressing affection. Love is a sign of strength, not weakness.
When it comes to love and affection, you can't always get what you want, but if you try consistently, you will find there are plenty of opportunities in any given day to acknowledge and appreciate the most important people in your life.
Sidebar: Sentiments to post around your home
Always tuck me in and kiss me goodnight.
I love you to the moon and back.
Hug it out.
Sweet dreams. Sleep tight. We love you. Good night.
I love you for all that you are, all that you have been, and all you are yet to be.
There's no place like home.
Where there is family, there is love.
Love lives here.
Picture books about love and affection:
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBranty, Illustrated by Anita Jeram
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Clement Hurd
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Clement Hurd
Hug by Jez Alborough
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, Illustrated by Sheila McGraw
On The Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
Christina Katz is an author and freelance journalist. She loves her family, her pets, the world, and what she does for a living. Her latest book is Permission Granted, 45 Reasons To Micro-publish.