Valentine’s Day can be a fun day of fanciful energy. As the parent, be mindful, not obsessive, about kids feelings being hurt. Kids can do hurtful things, not realizing how others feelings can be harmed. The child who doesn’t get a valentine or invitation to a little party can take it hard. NO ONE likes being left out or singled out. Be aware of and keep your eyes and ears open to both your child being the one left out or your child being the one leaving others out. Talk to your children about both scenarios and very nicely remind them to treat others the way THEY wanted to be treated is the best policy to have, ALWAYS. If you find out that they have been hurt or left out, acknowledge the hurtful feelings they have and then say something that teaches them that this will happen over a life time, we recognize it when it happens and move on, not dwelling on hurtful circumstances. Really, that’s most likely what they want (and don’t we all), someone to acknowledge that the hurtful feelings are there and help to them move on…
As a parent or grandparent, consider a special Valentine’s Day dinner if you are close in proximity. Grandparents can give Mom and Dad a welcomed break by taking the grandkids for an evening so Mom and Dad can have a night off. We were very fortunate to have two very involved and helpful sets of grandparents. In terms of a dinner, I covered this on yesterday’s Marvelous Monday, a nice cozy dinner in can be fun to put together. Have the kids help out either with the menu, setting the table or serving and clearing. This is all good time together and you are creating memories. If grandparents aren’t close by, how about a Face Time Valentine’s Day visit. Both parties can have their table set, and have a little ‘happy hour’ before dinner to catch up.
Consider a movie or a story to go along with your dinner. You could go with a fun family comedy, a documentary based on topic your family is interested in. Recently I watched an outstanding PBS documentary on Itzhak Perlman, Itzhak. What I liked about the documentary, which would be a good topic for a Valentine’s Day dinner is the love of his parents. Itzhak developed polio as a four year old child. His parents realized very early on in his illness that Itzhak’s interest in playing the violin, maybe his ’ticket’ to opportunity for a poor handicapped boy living in Israel. The movie starts with Itzhak, in his seventies at the time of the documentary going out onto the field to play ”The Star Spangled Banner” in his scooter. From there the film tells the story of his life, starting as that little boy in Tel Aviv. You meet his wife, Toby and hear the story of how they met as teenagers at a summer music camp. It’s a story of the love of parents and a family. I would highly recommend it for viewing anytime. The movie was accessible on You Tube, just do a search of PBS documentary 2017 Itzhak Perlman.
Making and sending Valentines to loved ones. Get the construction paper, card stock and art supplies and make Valentine card for some loved ones. You can purchase card stock and enveloped at Michael’s Joann’s and Hobby Lobby. Buy these on sale or use coupons and have on hand. It makes card making easy and it’s fun. As parents and grandparents, you can do this too. I saved card and valentines from our kids. They can be used as book marks or posted on the fridge or a bulletin board.
What you are doing is you are creating memories and teaching lessons for a life time. Everyday is an opportunity to make a very valuable impression on those children in our life. You are teaching them to do the same and setting up…Many Great Days 🍎
