1. Notice them
2. Smile a lot
3. Acknowledge them.
4. Learn their names
5. Seek them out
6. Remember their birthday
7. Ask them about themselves
8. Look in their eyes when you talk to them
9. Listen to them
10. Play with them
11. Read aloud together
12. Giggle together
13. Be nice
14. Say yes a lot
15. Tell them their feelings are okay
16. Set boundaries that keep them safe.
17. Be honest
18. Be yourself
19. Listen to their stories
20. Hug them
21. Forget your worries sometimes and concentrate only on them
22. Notice when they're acting differently
23. Present options when they seek your counsel
24. Play outside together
25. Surprise them
26. Stay with them when they're afraid
27. Invite them over for juice
28. Suggest better behaviors when they act out
29. Feed them when they're hungry
30. Delight in their discoveries
31. Share their excitement
32. Send them a letter or postcard
33. Follow them when they lead
34. Notice when they're absent
35. Call them to say hello
36. Hide surprises for them to find
37. Give them space when they need it
38. Contribute to their collections
39. Discuss their dreams and nightmares
40. Laugh at their jokes
41. Be relaxed
42. Kneel, squat, or sit so you're at their eye level
43. Answer their questions
44. Tell them how terrific they are
45. Create a tradition with them and keep it
46. Learn what they have to teach
47. Use your ears more than your mouth
48. Make yourself available
49. Show up at their concerts, games, and events
50. Find a common interest
51. Hold hands during a walk
52. Apologize when you've done something wrong.
53. Listen to their favorite music with them
54. Keep the promises you make.
55. Wave and smile when you part.
56. Display their artwork in your home.
57. Thank them
58. Point out what you like about them.
59. Clip magazine pictures or articles that interest them.
60. Give them lots of compliments.
61. Catch them doing something right.
62. Encourage win-win solutions.
63. Give them your undivided attention.
64. Ask for their opinion.
65. Have fun together
66. Be curious with them.
67. Introduce them to your friends and family.
68. Tell them how much you like being with them.
69. Let them solve most of their own problems.
70. Meet their friends.
71. Meet their parents.
72. Let them tell you how they feel.
73. Help them become an expert at something.
74. Be excited when you see them.
75. Tell them about yourself.
76. Let them act their age.
77. Praise more; criticize less.
78. Be consistent.
79. Admit when you make a mistake.
80. Enjoy your time together.
81. Give them a special nickname.
82. Marvel at what they can do.
83. Tell them how proud you are of them.
84. Pamper them.
85. Unwind together.
86. Be happy.
87. Ask them to help you.
88. Support them.
89. Applaud their successes.
90. Deal with problems and conflicts while they're still small.
91. Chaperone a dance.
92. Tell them stories in which they are the hero.
93. Believe in them.
94. Nurture them with good food, good words, and good fun.
95. Be flexible.
96. Delight in their uniqueness.
97. Let them make mistakes.
98. Notice when they grow.
99. Wave and honk when you drive by them
100. Give them immediate feedback.
101. Include them in conversations.
102. Respect them.
103. Join in their adventures.
104. Visit their schools.
105. Help them learn something new.
106. Be understanding when they have a difficult day.
107. Give them good choices.
108. Respect the choices they make.
109. Be silly together.
110. Hang out together.
111. Make time to be with them.
112. Inspire their creativity.
113. Accept them as they are.
114. Become their advocate.
115. Appreciate their individuality.
116. Talk openly with them.
117. Tolerate their interruptions.
118. Trust them.
119. Share a secret.
120. Write a chalk message on their sidewalk.
121. Create a safe, open environment.
122. Be available.
123. Cheer their accomplishments.
124. Encourage them to help others.
125. Tackle new tasks together.
126. Believe what they say.
127. Help them take a stand and stand with them.
128. Daydream with them.
129. Do what they like to do.
130. Make decisions together.
131. Magnify their magnificence.
132. Build something together.
133. Encourage them to think big.
134. Celebrate their firsts and lasts, such as the first school day.
135. Go places together.
136. Welcome their suggestions.
137. Visit them when they're sick.
138. Tape record a message for them.
139. Help them learn from mistakes.
140. Be sincere.
141. Introduce them to people of excellence.
142. Tell them what you expect of them.
143. Give them your phone number.
144. Introduce them to new experiences.
145. Share a meal together.
146. Talk directly together.
147. Be spontaneous.
148. Expect their best; don't expect perfection.
149. Empower them to help and be themselves.
150. Love them, no matter what.
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