Don’t we all want our children to grow up to become kind, thoughtful, responsible adults who make a difference in the lives of others?

As parents, how do we accomplish such a task?

Perhaps looking toward Valentine’s Day themes can inspire ways to help our kids grow up into the adults we envision in our favorite dreams for their futures. Can we not spread the important notions honored on Valentine’s Day throughout the rest of the year?

1. Get started by saying “I Love You” more often. In today’s hectic world, we don’t always stop to say “I Love You” enough. It’s as important to say it as to hear it. If we want our kids to express their love freely and say it more to the people who matter to them, it starts with the example we set as parents. So, if we remember to say “I love you,” chances are our children will, too.

2. Make time throughout the year, not just on Valentine’s Day, to do something nice for the people you love. It doesn’t have to be flowers or chocolates, but anything that will make someone smile – a thank you note for a favor done, a donation in their name to their favorite charity, a plate of sandwiches on moving day. Giving of yourself is often the greatest gift. Get your children involved and they will learn how satisfying it feels to do something nice for someone else any time of year. Be sure you show them the gift of an item or action is the best part of giving when it is made without the expectation of receiving something in return. There is truth to the old saying that it is better to give than to receive.

3. Enjoy yourself often. Life doesn’t always have to be serious. Today’s Valentine’s Day activities are often meant to be silly and sappy, not to be taken seriously. Approach life this way and have fun with it. And take your children along with you.

4. Help your children find pleasure in the small things. On Valentine’s Day, we’re happy with a few chocolates or pretty flowers. If our children see life is not all about material items, they, too, will take the time to stop and enjoy simple pleasures.

5. Remember, everyone, male and female, can use a few more hearts in their life. If they are on the list to show our affection on Valentine’s Day, they should be on that list every day of the year. If your kids see you expressing your affection to your loved ones on a regular basis, that will become their example to follow.

Valentine’s Day is a day of hearts and giving. We can help our children make it last all year.

About the Author:

Jennifer Kirkpatrick is a busy mom of two and an entrepreneur who creates and sells unique items for kids of all ages. Visit her online store Pipsqueak Boutique for great baby gifts. And check out her clothing line, Define*Me Clothing for fun personalized kids clothes.

To be someone’s Valentine is to be loved by another. Romantic? Of course, but Valentine’s Day is not the sole property of loving couples. It can also be a wonderful day for loving families.

Here are some ways parents can use Valentine’s Day to introduce new family traditions and create some special memories for their kids.

1. Food is often the way to the heart. How about getting the whole family involved in making a heart-shaped meal. Place a cookie cutter into a pan. Pour in an egg or some pancake batter to cook into a heart-shaped breakfast treat. Using a heart-shaped template, trim French toast or sandwiches into a heart-shaped lunch. A larger template can make a Valentine’s Day pizza a favorite dinner or evening treat. And don’t forget the heart-shaped cookies. Get the kids involved in the preparations, and let them decorate their heart-shaped goodies with pink sprinkles or red strawberries. They’ll love it that much more.

2. Kids would love a Valentine’s fashion show. Have each participant, including Mom, Dad and even Brother, put together an outfit from items found around the house. The only rule is that the models can only wear white, pink or red. Get creative – a silk flower bonnet, a white tablecloth evening gown, a red sports equipment ensemble. (Older siblings can help younger ones who are unable to do it themselves.) Then, invite Grandma and Grandpa to see the crazy ideas everyone has come up with to showcase their Valentine’s spirit.

3. Create a family gift that will keep on giving. Work together to create a jar of special notes — include anything that will make the other people in the family feel loved when they read them (a special memory about a great time together as a family, a meaningful poem or quote, something you love about every member of the family). Work on them individually or together. Then, over the next several months pull one from the jar during family nights and share it.

4. Set up a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt. Hide Valentine’s treats around the house with clues that lead family members from one spot to the next. This is an easy game to modify for children of different ages simply by setting different levels of difficulty for the clues — little ones can be given pictures and older children can follow written clues.

5. Instead of giving gifts, make “coupons” for each other. Every person could give one or two coupons to every member of the family to redeem whenever they want. Parents could exchange backrubs or a night off from the dishes. To their children, they can give an extra bedtime story, a special meal or treat. Children can make coupons up for their parents and siblings for hugs and kisses, help with another’s chores or a week of taking out the garbage.

Get creative. Put on your thinking caps and you can make great Valentine’s Day memories your family will treasure forever.

About the Author:

Jennifer Kirkpatrick is a busy mom of two and an entrepreneur who creates and sells unique items for kids of all ages. Visit her online store Pipsqueak Boutique for great baby gifts. And check out her clothing line, Define*Me Clothing for fun personalized kids clothes.

There is a sale going on now in honor of Valentine’s Day ~ any and all products are 40% off….no matter what you buy!

So if you are looking to update your look on eBay or Etsy, or need a new logo for your website, you better stop by soon, because this sale is only good from 2/7 – 2/13!

Talk soon….