In this post, we’ll take a look at the important things your kid secretly wants from you. Keep an eye out for these clues, and you’ll be sure to make them happy!
Parenting can be a challenging but rewarding experience. You want to do everything in your power to make your child happy, but sometimes it’s hard to know what to do right. Kids are complex beings, and they often communicate their wants and needs in non-verbal ways. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to their behavior and the little things they say.
Here are 10 things your kid secretly wants from you.
1. Time
Children can be a royal pain in the butt sometimes. But even with all the testing and whining and general mayhem, they still manage to tug at our heartstrings.
There are lots of things your kid secretly wants from you, but time is probably at the top of the list. They want us to spend time with them, to be there for them when they need us. And when we can’t be there in person, they want us to be there through our words and actions.
Put down your phone once in a while and give your kid your undivided attention. It may take some effort, but it will be worth it. They’ll feel loved, and you’ll get to see them grow up before your very eyes.
Be interested in their lives and know what’s going on at their school. Children have lasting memories, and everything you do is stored in their minds.
2. Laughter
You probably know that your kid wants a lot of things from you—love, guidance, support, etc. But what you might not know is that they also want you to make them laugh.
It’s true! A good laugh is something that kids crave, and it’s one of the best gifts you can give them. Not only does it make them feel happy and loved, but it’s also good for their health. Laughter is a powerful stress reliever, and it can even boost their immune system.
To make your kid laugh, tell jokes, watch funny movies or PG comedies on YouTube, laugh at their jokes, and just have fun together.
Read: Tips For Helping Kids Who Just Aren’t Interested In Books to Love Reading
3. Exercise
Exercise might not seem like the most exciting thing in the world, but your kid wants you to be active with them. Whether it’s playing tag, going for a walk, or hitting the gym together, being physically active is a great way to bond, have some fun and stay healthy.
4. To Be Heard
Your kid wants to be heard. They want you to take an interest in their lives, and they want you to be there for them.
When your kid comes to you with a problem, they don’t just want you to fix it. They want you to listen to them and help them find a solution. When they need advice, they want you to be a sounding board. They want you to be their friend, not just the superior party.
The next time your kid comes to you with something they’re struggling with, put away your phone and give them your undivided attention. Listen patiently to what they have to say, and offer them your support. They’ll appreciate it more than you can imagine.
Read: Tips to Help Your Kids Remain Active This Holiday
5. Touch
Kids need touch. They need to feel loved and safe, and the best way to do that is through physical contact. Give them a hug when they need it, put your arm around them when you’re watching TV, and give them a pat on the back when they’ve done something good.
Kids crave acknowledgment. They thrive on your hugs and kisses, and they love it when you tell them how proud you are of them.
So, if you’re looking for ways to make your kid happy, start by giving them your full attention and showing them how much you love them.
6. To Be Understood
You might be surprised to know that your kid secretly wants one thing above anything else: to feel needed.
All kids want a sense of belonging, and they want to feel like they’re doing something that matters. Therefore, the next time your kid comes to you with a list of demands or grievances, try to look at it through their eyes.
What are they asking for? Maybe they just need a little love and attention, or maybe they need help with a problem they’re having.
Whatever it is, try to find a way to connect with them, make them know you’ve been in their position before, and will do what you can to meet their needs. They’ll be grateful for it.
7. To Be Needed
Kids secretly want to feel included in their life. They want to feel cherished. They want to know that they’re a part of your world and that they matter to you. So next time you’re feeling a little disconnected from your child, take a step back and ask yourself what you can do to make them feel more included.
It might be something as simple as including them in a conversation, asking for their opinion on important issues, or letting them help you with a task. Whatever it is, just make sure that they know they’re a part of your life and that you need them as much as they need you.
Read: Best plants for the nursery that are safe for Kids and Babies
8. Structure
Children need to know that they can trust you to lead them in the right direction.
They want to know that they can count on you to keep things running smoothly. They do not always want to be the parent. As a parent, don’t let your kid pick up after you or take up your parental responsibilities. Be interested in their lives, and set unwritten rules. Let them know that you take their well-being seriously.
Kids also want some freedom. They want the chance to explore and learn on their own without always feeling like they’re under a microscope. They need some independence, and they need you to trust them.
9. Praise
Children rely on praises and adoration even when they are doing poorly in their education or otherwise.
Your kid secretly wants to know that they’re doing a good job regardless of the result of their effort, and they want to hear it from you. They secretly want to be told they’re smart, brave, and talented. They want to feel like they’re worth your time and attention.
So next time your kid does something great, take a minute to give them some praise. And even when they haven’t done well, let them know how proud you are of them. It will make them feel good.
If you have to chastise them, you can do it calmly while reassuring them that you care deeply about them.
Read: 10 Reasons Kids Don’t Stick to Limits Set By Parents
10. Love
Every kid especially needs the love of their parents. They do not only need you to express it verbally by saying the words “I love you”; they need you to back your words up with actions. So whenever you express it, do not forget to follow it up with action.
Summary
Your kid secretly needs these things from their tender years on. Heartbreaking things may happen when a kid does not get all these things they secretly want until it is too late. So be sure to provide your kid with all these to make them and yourself happy.
