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Verbal and physical affection - important for your children's succesful growth
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Failure to thrive – a label given to babies, sometimes even toddlers, who are struggling to properly grow according to standard measurements. Besides any possible intravenous or respiratory support the babies may need, nurses in a neonatal unit may even be called upon to offer just a tender touch, whenever parents or volunteers are not available. This is because research has proven that the touch of another human being is just as important for them to be able to grow beyond the failure to thrive label.
There is something innately within each of us that needs the touch and affection of others. That’s how we are all made. If touch can be critically important to a baby’s very survival, imagine what the neglect of it would do to a child over a lifetime.
This neglect, though, is not just connected to children’s physical development. Social and mental development can be affected as well. Your children will receive much of their confidence from how well you show affection, through your words and actions. There are so many times where the rise of your voice or the touch of your hands is used for disciplining and correcting in the care of your children. Take every opportunity to use that same voice and those same hands to encourage and to love. It goes without saying, then, that the neglect of those things can have catastrophic consequences from which your children could potentially never recover.
In his book, Dr. Gary Chapman goes into great detail about the five different love languages in which most people speak. Speaking in the love language your children understand will promote a healthy environment where their future physical, mental and even social development will only lead to successes.
I am blessed with four beautiful, sweet girls. Three of them are as affectionate with me as I am with them. It fills my need as well as theirs. But one of them does not have that same kind of need. I’ve learned over the years not to force my love language on her, which is something I found myself doing when she was younger. So, now, I shower her with praises, take advantage of those little moments when hugs and kisses are appropriate, and soak up those rare moments when she comes to me needing my affection.
All children are truly a blessing. They not only deserve to have those needs met because of who they are, but they deserve it because everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy, successful life on their own. And you can help foster that for your children with merely the mouth and hands you use every day.
For other advice on parenting: contact Leslie with questions, her book.on parenting is also available for purchase
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