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WOW!  I just got back from visiting with my daughter and her family in New Hampshire.

As I boarded the plane in Boston, I was missing them already!

While there, I was able to read and craft and cook with my 2½ year-old grandson, Jeremy.  Oh yes, and hug and kiss him a lot.

Young children need to hear how much they are loved and valued…on a daily basis.  As parents, we sometimes get overwhelmed with our tasks and chores.  It warms my heart to observe how loving and nurturing my daughter is…even though she is always busy…she never forgets to let her child know how special he is!

While on the east coast, we visited with my niece and her children and my daughter grabbed some time to read to her son, Jeremy (on the right) and her cousin’s little boy, Jake.  No matter what stories you read to your children, what counts is the joyful and positive time you spend with them that counts.  Today’s story suggestion let’s your children know that you will love them…no matter what!

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU’RE YOU

Written by Lisa Baker

Illustrated by David McPhail

Mother Fox tells her son that she loves him when he is happy as well as when he is angry.  She also loves him when he is sick in bed as well as when he is running around.  She lets him know that she loves him when he is shouting as well as when he is quiet.  Little Fox, of course, is very comforted by the fact that his mother loves him just as he is.

Young children need to know that we will love them no matter what.  This level of unconditional love and acceptance will encourage them to come to us with their problems and concerns.  It will also enable them to show love to others and develop healthy relationships with others, now and throughout their lives.

Overwhelmed by the sheer number of books available at libraries and bookstores?  Check out my website where you can purchase a copy of SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRFTING AND COOKING at 50% off the cover price.  This is a great resource for busy parents…it pinpoints 100 picture books every young child should hear and provides a story summary, gentle parenting tip, easy craft project and simple healthful cooking activity for each recommended title.  Just stop by and enter to win the Crafty Easter Basket filled with craft supplies for your preschoolers…no purchase necessary…just fill in the contact form.  You can even leave me a comment here on why you would like to win the craft supplies.

One more piece of information I’d like to share…a fellow author is having a book blog tour…these are great books for children and Positive Parental Participation will be the host on April 12.  There is an ongoing contest to win prizes…you just have to check out each stop on the 30+ day tour…here is the link for more information: http://readwithmax.com/blogbooktour.html