
Being a parent means loving unconditionally. And, loving a child unconditionally means accepting all of him. I'm sure you don't love your child's temper tantrums, but you love your child despite the challenging moments - when your child pushes your buttons, embarrasses you with her outbursts or disobeys your rules.
Loving your child unconditionally and accepting him for who he is teaches him that he is loveable and acceptable and helps him to love and accept others.
You can convey to your child that you accept him and love him unconditionally many ways.
* Give your child lots of hugs and kisses.
* Tell your child you love him (not only when he is smiling or sad but also when he is angry or misbehaving).
* Make a distinction between who your child is and her actions. Your child is not bad, her behavior is bad.
* Read him I Love you Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak or:
* Create your own ritual like I do with my children and talk about all the things you love about them:
I love you when you are sleeping
I love you when you are awake
I love you when you are smiling
I love you when you are crying
I love you when you are happy
I love you when you are sad
I love you when you are mad
I love you when you are worried
I love you when you are messy
I love you when you are clean
I love you when your hair is brushed
I love you when your hair is a mess
I love you when you are listening
I love you when you are not listening (they will be surprised by this one!)
I love you ALL THE TIME!
It usually goes on and on. My children love it and we come up with different ones each night that remind us about the day. We are silly and have fun with it. And I started this ritual so they would know that I love every singly part of them (even if I don't enjoy every single behavior)!