Expressing Love Daily

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 11-Apr-2008 edition

 

EXPRESSING LOVE DAILY

By Dr Bill Maier

 

How can you make your kids feel special? Author Lisa Brock

has developed a list of simple things that will help express

our love to our kids every day.

 

For example, set aside blocks of time to play with your kids

and put it on the calendar. Nothing thrills a child more

than having their parent’s undivided attention. Another idea

is to occasionally tuck little notes or gifts under your child’s pillow

or into their backpack before school. Even the smallest gift or note

can bring a smile to a child’s face.

 

Kids love having regular traditions or rituals throughout the week,

like going out for breakfast on Saturday morning, or spending time

together every Friday night. Anything that gives them something

to look forward to with mum and dad.

 

The point is, kids love it when their parents make them feel special.

And there are lots of simple ways to do it.

Good Sleep = Good Grades

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 10-Apr-2008 edition

 

GOOD SLEEP = GOOD GRADES

By Dr Bill Maier

 

Most kids will tell you that school starts when the bell rings

in the morning. But research says it actually starts the night

before, when their heads hit the pillow.

 

You wouldn’t want your child going to school without his

homework, would you? Well, allowing him to go without

a good night’s sleep isn’t much different. Both are important

for a good education.

 

A recent study shows a direct link between sleep and

concentration. When children are tired, they have

higher levels of a hormone called cortisol in their system.

This causes increased blood pressure and stress and actually

weakens the child’s ability to think. It also affects the

immune system.

 

In the study, kids who went to bed before 9pm were able to

complete tasks much easier and better than children who

stayed up later. So, one of the keys to a better education

is an earlier bedtime. Even if your child says he’s not tired.

Generosity Increases Longevity

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 09-Apr-2008 edition

 

GENEROSITY INCREASES LONGEVITY

By Dr Bill Maier

 

Looking for the secret to a long and happy life? Here’s one

formula you may not have considered.

 

Begin by mowing your neighbour’s yard and then

make out a cheque to a good cause. After that, try taking

some meals to a homeless shelter. Not exactly what you

expected to hear, is it?

 

A new study shows that one road to a longer and healthier life

is through serving others.

 

Researchers followed more than 400 people for five years to see

how generosity affected longevity and what they discovered

was amazing. People who lived a lifestyle of kindness actually

increased their lifespan and were also much happier.

 

It’s been known for years that people who throw themselves

into the lives of others tend to be healthier and more well-adjusted.

But this is the first time a study has actually linked a long life

with a heart for service.

Touches That Say A Lot

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 08-Apr-2008 edition

 

TOUCHES THAT SAY A LOT

By Dr Bill Maier

 

One of the greatest things you can do for your kids’ self-image

is to give them meaningful touches throughout the day. This

could be as simple as tousling your son’s hair or wrestling

with him in the living room. A father may draw his daughter

close under the umbrella while they wait for the school bus

in the rain. A mother can give her kids a quick hug when

they come through the door.

 

To kids, these simple touches and hugs mean everything.

They say to them: “You’re special” and “I love having you near”.

 

And they provide emotional comfort and feelings of

acceptance and approval. Children who grow up with

a lot of hugs and meaningful touches in the family

actually do better later in life, and tend to be happier

and better adjusted.

 

One study has shown that it takes eight to 10 meaningful

touches each day to maintain emotional and physical health.

So, if you want to bless your children, this is one simple –

and important – way to do so.

Think Before You Speak

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 07-Apr-2008 edition

 

THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

By Dr Bill Maier

 

“Think before you speak,” we tell our children. But how well

are we taking our own advice?

 

Very few of us would intentionally say things that hurt

our children’s feelings, but too often the words we use

can confuse them and do a lot of emotional damage –

especially when they are young.

 

Put yourself in the place of a young girl going through

puberty. She develops a little chubbiness around her middle,

and her friends have already made fun of her at school.

 

Imagine how she feels when her mother says to her:

“Do you really need to eat that dessert?”

 

Or what about the boy who struggles to do well in school

and then has to sit and listen as his parents brag about

his sister’s straight-A average?

 

What we say and how we say it can do irreparable harm

to our children’s self-image.

 

It may be a perfectly harmless comment, yet our children

may take it as a major insult.