by Rachel Summerton

Created on: November 17, 2008

The most important thing a parent could give their child is love. Expressing love to your child helps to build their self esteem. It also helps to develop a secure relationship between the two of you. If your child is feeling loved by you, they are more likely to trust you and follow your guidance.

Love can be expressed by giving your undivided attention to someone. This kind of attention towards your child shows that you consider them and their ideas important. This will help your child gain confidence and allow them to be more expressive.

I grew up very different than this. Love was expressed in the form of material items. My mother and father bought me things to express their love for me. Being adopted as a baby also played a part in my childhood. When I was old enough to understand, I developed feelings of inadequacy and not being good enough. My adoptive parents were not able to provide me with the love and attention I desparately needed. Even though it is not the way I raise my son, I understood that this is the way they grew up and were mirroring what their parents had done.

I, in turn, chose to openly express my feelings of love towards my son by telling him regularly that I love him and actively being a part of his life. Many times he will say to me, "Mommy, are you my best friend?" and I always answer, "Of course I am. I am your Mommy and I love you." This goes far beyond anything I could buy for him.

A famous friend of mine once told me that it was his mother's undivided attention and encouragement, if only for an hour a day, that helped him to obtain his dreams of success. I do my best to follow his advice with my 4 year old son. I take time each day to listen to him, encourage him and offer guidance in his daily activities.

And even though Jason is only 4 years old, he is very perceptive. I am sure that you have heard the expression, "kids are like sponges". This is so underrated. A baby learns how to talk by mimicking their parents, and almost everything else is learned through your actions. If you show others respect and kindness in the presence of your child, your child will express respect and kindness as well. So it goes with negative behavior.

So LOVE, expressed through undivided attention, encouragement and guidance, is the most important thing you can share with your child on a daily basis. If you follow this simple guideline, I guarantee your child will be grateful that you did.

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