Experts say these notes make a bigger impact than you might think. When was the last time you snuck a note into your child’s lunchbox? If it's been a while, experts say it's time to do it again.
Author, parenting coach, and teacher Melissa Schwartz says she's a "huge proponent" of lunchbox notes for kids. "Leaving short love notes for children is a wonderful way to stay connected, especially in a world where so little communication is tangible," she tells Scary Mommy. "A short note with a doodle or sticker is a fabulous way to remind your child that you're thinking of them even when you're not together.
Writing a few affirming words — like 'You're so special' or 'I can't wait to snuggle with you this evening' — keeps your connection going throughout the day. They don't have to be long to be impactful!" Let's lay it out: Once your child is in school, you'll only get to spend about a third of each day with them. They'll spend the other two-thirds sleeping (hopefully) or in a classroom.
And what does that last third of their day look like? It's probably a mess of activities: practices, homework, chores, meals, and simply "getting ready" for any combination of those. It's super-easy to get caught up in the tasks and lose sight of the connection.
Even if you're one of the few families in the U.S. who manages to make time for family dinners around a table, filling up your child's bucket with encouragement isn't always prioritized. Yes, it is important to take time to listen to them vent, help them work through a problem, or rehash major events of the day or week. But sometimes, your kid just needs to be lifted up.
This is your chance to show a multitude of things. Did they mention they were nervous about a test? Remind them how smart you think they are.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
