10 ways to LOVE BOMB your teen & pre-teen.

Every teen wants to feel loved and accepted for who they are – even though they may give you opposite signals most of the time. Here are some ways we can remind them we love them, any time of year.

Write little notes
Leave little handwritten notes hidden in places where only they will find them – in their coat pocket, under their pillow, in their school bag or even in their sock drawer. A note can convey love, affection, admiration, or simply say “I’m thinking about you” or “I’m missing you”.

Send them a link, message or text about something they are interested in
Most teens are hooked to their phones so send them a link, or a message to let them know something they may be interested in. Even if it is something silly (and guaranteed to get an eye-roll), it shows you are thinking of them.

Take them on a little date
If you have multiple kids, it’s hard to make one-on-one time with each child, but if you can schedule time in, it will go further to forge a strong bond. They won’t tell you but they’ll really appreciate quality time even more now than when they were younger.

Let them catch you being sentimental
Share old photos with them and remember how small they once were or how much you miss family members who are gone. Many parents are reluctant to let their children see their emotions, but doing so shows these feelings are not something to hide.

Ask their advice
One of the best moments in parenting is when you realize your kids know more about certain things than you do - mine are more tech savvy than me! It is humbling to admit you are no longer the all-knowing expert on everything. So, ask them what they think and why. And listen.

Ask them to teach you something
As kids grow older they will start forming new interests and hobbies. At secondary school, they'll meet new people, start new activities, learn and explore new things. Ask them about their new interests - maybe you can start a new hobby together. 

Go to their events whatever they’re interested in. 
If they play sports, attend at least some of the games. If they play music or sing, go to their concerts. If they are into theatre, attend the shows. Know that your presence will be noted, and they will appreciate it.

Tell them you are proud of them
When our children do great things, we should acknowledge it and tell them how proud we are of them. Whether it’s something big like nailing a solo performance on stage to something smaller like a small act of kindness or just being a good person. We should make sure we notice this feeling and shout out about it. 

Request a hug
There’s a saying that a child needs four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and 12 for growth. So if you need a hug, ask for one. If it looks like they need a hug, ask for one. Many teens will not request this interaction, even if they desperately need it. 

Just say it - I love you. 
Choose your time and place carefully (some teens don’t want to hear it when their friends are around or out in public) but let the words slip off your tongue regularly. They may roll their eyes and groan, but everyone likes to hear the words, “I love you.” If you’re lucky, you may even get to hear it back.