I work at a job where I see kids all day long. No, I’m not a teacher in a school. That was my former profession. I work in an Agency that sees parents and children every weekday. I see the struggle some parents have with their children, and I know it’s not always easy. But I also see how problems can be headed off at the pass.

I’ve noticed a few things about kids that are glaringly obvious.  When they repeat the same thing twice, three times, then three bazillion times they’re looking for a response from someone.  Moms, Dads, Anybody, answer or acknowledge them!  And mean it!

When they are trying to tell you something, listen!  Listen like what they have to say is important to you and really matters, because it does to them.  Kids know who’s being genuine and who’s just pacifying them. They sense insincerity. They can spot a fake a mile away. They know who is paying attention with a listening ear.

When they cry, even if they’re big, they need something.  It could be a hug or a shoulder to cry on. Respond!  It might not help immediately, but it will eventually. It spares you from stares and it spares the people around you from having to hear it!

As adults, we sometimes tend to discount the feelings of kids.  We can get tired or worn down by their actions. But from what I see, kids are just like us, only mini-versions.  We all want to be heard, validated and appreciated. So let’s do that for our kids.  And when they act the most unlovable, that’s when they need the most love.