5 Ways to Love Your Child Through Physical Touch
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A few weeks ago I was talking to Seth, my oldest son who is 7 years old, as he was going to bed. He told me that ever since we had moved him to his basement bedroom we hadn’t been tucking him in as much, instead we had been doing hugs and kisses upstairs and then sending him down on his own. “You know what mom, I miss it when you tuck me in.” This hit me pretty hard. Since we are still in the newborn stage with Samuel, the other boys haven’t been getting as much attention, which is normal with a new baby, but I didn’t realize how much my older son missed his time before bed. It also reminded me of the time that he told me he wished we snuggled more, because he likes to snuggle. Physical touch is definitely my oldest son’s love language.
Physical touch is NOT my love language. But it is my husbands.
And now, as I am realizing, physical touch is my son’s love language too.
Over the last nine years I have had to learn how to convey love for those whose love language is physical touch. Here are some things I’m going to start doing more often to fill up my boys’ love tanks.
5 Ways to Fill Your Child’s Physical Love Tank
Head/Scalp Massages.
This way to communicate love to those who need physical touch isn’t just for the ladies. My boys usually love this way of communicating love, unless they are tired and then it lulls them to sleep.
Having them sit on my lap when we have reading time.
I try to have some reading time each day, we are currently working our way through A Hero’s Curse by P.S. Broaddus, before or after nap as a time to slow down and reconnect in the middle of the day.
Cuddling while watching a movie.
The boys ask to cuddle frequently while they are watching a show, but I usually take that time to get things done. Now that I know that my son is missing that time of connection and love, I will try to accede to those requests.
Scratching their backs.
My boys LOVE to have their backs scratched. I’m not really sure if their backs are actually itching every time they ask, or they just like the feeling. 🙂
More hugs and kisses.
This one is probably the most obvious way to add in more physical touch, but it might be the one that I need to work on most. Hugs and kisses are initiated on the part of my boys frequently, and frequently I push them away.
Do you know your child’s love language? If not, check out the other posts below to help you figure it out and fill up your child’s love tank!
A group of parenting bloggers have joined together to bring you this Mother’s Day 5 Day Challenge!
How to Join!
- Go to our Facebook page post and write–Count me in the #MothersDay5DayChallenge
- Go to your local library and get The 5 Love Languages of Children book or buy it HERE!
- Download the FREE Love Languages Assessment and go over it with your child together if they are young or have them do it on their own if they are old enough.
Then just follow along for the next 5 Days! Each day I will share a video on our Facebook page and discuss one love language. Also, for each day one of our bloggers will share some fabulous practical ideas so you can start using your child’s primary love language.
I will update this schedule each day as the posts go live.
- April 14th –Inspired by Family – The 5 Love Languages Free Assessment
- 16th – Surviving Toddlerhood – physical touch
- 17th – Alynda Long – Words of Affirmation
- 18th – Lila Diller – Quality Time
- 19th- Sip Mom – Gifts
- 20th – A Purpose Driven Wife – Acts of Service
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I love this post. My grandma used to scratch our backs and I tell my kids about her when I scratch their backs. My son definitely needs physical touch.