From the moment we find out a baby is on the way, we begin to think in terms of hopes and fears and love. It is love that carries us over the sleepless nights, temper tantrums, toilet learning accidents and mysteriously broken vases. Loving a young child isn't always easy, but it's always necessary. Children thrive and succeed because they feel loved and cared for.
Children quickly pick up on what is most valuable to their parents.
When a parent spends more time with television, outside activities or other people, family members can feel abandoned. We can begin to teach this lesson very early by treating everyone as individuals. Two children are having a snack. Their parent counts out 10 raisins for each child and places them in front of the children. The older child quickly eats her raisins and asks for more.