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30 Little Things That Mean a Lot to Kids
While these gestures may seem trivial to adults, they go a long way with your little ones. Here are a few easy tricks to make your child smile.
By Margery D. Rosen from Parents Magazine
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Wear that macaroni necklace to work. Well, at least until you're safely out the door.
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Tape a family mantra or slogan (Unstoppable! We can, we will! We've got this!) to your refrigerator door and invoke it whenever your child feels discouraged.
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Go for a walk with just one child.
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Slip a note (and an occasional piece of chocolate) into her lunch box.
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Build your own Minecraft world alongside his.
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Say "yes" to something usually off-limits, like sitting on the counter.
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Show as much enthusiasm on amusement-park rides as they do.
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If you quarrel in front of your child, make sure that he also sees you make up.
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When her room looks like a tsunami swept through it, close the door and get on with your day.
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Skype or do FaceTime with Grandma every now and then.
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If your child has given it a good try, but he's still miserable and anxious and really, truly wants to quit the team, give him your blessing.
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Go ahead: Let your 4-year-old stomp in every puddle along the way. Even without rain boots.
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Get out the glitter glue and make a birthday card for your child.
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Take in a pet that needs a home—and a child's love.
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Give your toddler a chance to fight his own battles in the sandbox or on the playground before you intervene.
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Hold off with the barrage of how-was-your-day questions if your child comes home from school grumpy and tired. You can always get the rundown at the dinner table.
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Cultivate your own rituals and traditions: Taco Tuesdays, Sunday-afternoon bike ride, apple picking every fall.
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Ask your kid to teach you how to do something for a change. And once you get the hang of it, be sure to tell him what a good teacher he is.
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Let your child wear her dress-up clothes to the supermarket. All month if she wants to.
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Let your child overhear you saying something wonderful about her.
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Stay up late to see the full moon. There's one on October 27.
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Print their childhood photos so they have something physical to look at one day.
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Don't be in a hurry to tell your kid to let it go. He needs to vent too.
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Cook heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast.
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Crank up the music in the middle of homework and have a dance party.
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Make a secret family handshake.
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Hang a whiteboard in her room to leave messages for each other.
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Start a pillow fight.
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Share your old diaries, photos, and letters from when you were her age.
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Thank your child when he does a chore on his own—even if it's just hanging up a wet towel without prompting or refilling the empty water pitcher.