9 Ordinary Ways To Make Your Kids Feel Special

So my kids are lucky enough to have a roof over their heads, they each have a respective closet over-flowing with gorgeous clothing, they get to be guinea pigs to my thrice-weekly cooking concoctions (with leftovers on the other days). They go out to dinner, they go to the movies, they go to judo and soccer and hockey.

But is it enough?

Who’s to say?

As a mother, I want to go above and beyond all this general stuff and actually remind my kids that each of them is my own personal favourite. It might seem time-consuming, even down-right impossible considering I have three of them.

But it’s truly not.

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Because it doesn’t take grand gestures or lots of cash to shine a spotlight on your kid. In fact, it’s the little things that work best. Here you go – in a nutshell – 9 perfectly ordinary ways to make your kids feel special.

#1 The Bait and Switch

I love this one – and each school year, I manage to pull it off twice for each child. I tell them they have a doctor or dentist appointment on a specific day at lunch time (they don’t). Then I swing by the school to collect them – and instead – take them for a quick bite to eat at their favourite restaurant – just the two of us.

#2 All It Takes is 30 Minutes

Ask your child to pick a show and sit down to watch it together. Even if it’s Caillou. Stifle your hatred of this little baldy and pretend to enjoy his antics as much as his parents do. Expressing a direct interest in something your child enjoys – even an annoying tv show – will do wonders for your kid’s self-esteem.

#3 Show it Off

The next time your kid brings home some artwork they clearly worked hard on or are extra proud of – surprise them by framing it and hanging it in a place of honour – in your office, the kitchen, the foyer, the family room. Their face will light up every time they see it.

#4 Ask for Help

Whatever you have on your to-do list, consider asking one of your children to lend you their expertise. If you’re baking muffins, heading to the grocery store, planting flowers outside or even folding laundry – ask them for their help. Full disclosure – this works well on younger children – the pre-teen and teen set are both onto me and my sneakiness in using their free labour to lighten my load!

#5 Two words: Ice Cream

Anytime, anywhere. What kid wouldn’t feel special when surprised with an ice cream break out of the clear blue sky?

#6 Noteworthy Notes

Private jokes are the cornerstone of any strong and meaningful relationship. So make sure you have plenty between you and each of your children. Include a note in their lunch box that only they will understand and think is funny.

#7 Does this pasta match my shoes?

Wear their macaroni necklace with your power suit like it ain’t no thing. I always enjoy running into someone unexpectedly and seeing them wearing the scarf I bought them for their birthday or the earrings I gave them at Christmas. Imagine your child’s reaction at the sight of you wearing their latest beadwork creation.

#8 Puzzle it up

My kids all enjoy puzzles and mysteries. Every once in a while, when I have some time, I put together a personalized word search, crossword, hangman game – even neighbourhood scavenger hunt – for them to complete. Always followed by a surprise treat at the end.

#9 ’Tis the Season

This is another one of my favourites – because it actually benefits me way more than my kids. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a huge fan of Christmas. I can’t stand Christmas carols, I become overwhelmed by the shopping and putting up decorations is just another one of my obligatory chores. So each year, I assemble our Christmas trees and then carefully lay out all of our ornaments. And the kids take care of the rest. Screw the colour-coordinated, visually pleasing, perfectly symmetrical Christmas tree – this kid-constructed design is the better way to go!

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