150 Ways to show kids you care

From 150 Ways to Show Kids You Care, 1998 by Search Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota

1. Notice them.	2. Smile a lot.
3. Acknowledge them.	4. Learn their names.
5. Seek them out.	6. Remember their birthdays.
7. Ask them about themselves.	8. Look in their eyes when you talk to them.
9. Listen to them.	10. Play with them.
11. Read aloud together.	12. Giggle together.
13. Be nice.	14. Say yes a lot.
15. Tell them their feelings are okay.	16. Set boundaries that keep them safe.
17. Be honest.	18. Be yourself.
19. Listen to their stories.	20. Hug them.
21. Forget your worries sometimes and concentrate only on them.	22. Notice when they're acting differently.
23. Present options when they seek your counsel.	24. Play outside together.
25. Surprise them.	26. Stay with them when they're afraid.
27. Invite them over for juice.	28. Suggest better behaviors when they act out.
29. Feed them when they're hungry.	30. Delight in their discoveries.
31. Share their excitement.	32. Send them a letter or postcard.
33. Follow them when they lead.	34. Notice when they're absent.
35. Call them to say hello.	36. Hide surprises for them to find.
37. Give them space when they need it.	38. Contribute to their collections.
39. Discuss their dreams and nightmares.	40. Laugh at their jokes.
41. Be relaxed.	42. Kneel, squat, or sit so you're at their eye level.
43. Answer their questions.	44. Tell them how terrific they are.
45. Create a tradition with them and keep it.	46. Learn what they have to teach.
47. Use your ears more than your mouth.	48. Make yourself available.
49. Show up at their concerts, games, and events.	50. Find a common interest

51. Hold hands during a walk.	52. Apologize when you've done something wrong.
53. Listen to their favorite music with them.	54. Keep the promises you make.
55. Wave and smile when you part.	56. Display their artwork in your home.
57. Thank them.	58. Point out what you like about them.
59. Clip magazine pictures or articles that interest them.	60. Give them lots of compliments.
61. Catch them doing something right.	62. Encourage win-win solutions.
63. Give them your undivided attention.	64. Ask for their opinion.
65. Have fun together.	66. Be curious with them.
67. Introduce them to your friends and family.	68. Tell them how much you like being with them.
69. Let them solve most of their own problems.	70. Meet their friends.
71. Meet their parents.	72. Let them tell you how they feel.
73. Help them become an expert at something.	74. Be excited when you see them.
75. Tell them about yourself.	76. Let them act their age.
77. Praise more; criticize less.	78. Be consistent.
79. Admit when you make a mistake.	80. Enjoy your time together.
81. Give them a special nickname.	82. Marvel at what they can do.
83. Tell them how proud you are of them.	84. Pamper them.
85. Unwind together.	86. Be happy.
87. Ask them to help you.	88. Support them.
89. Applaud their successes.	90. Deal with problems and conflicts while they're still small.
91. Chaperone a dance.	92. Tell them stories in which they are the hero.
93. Believe in them.	94. Nurture them with good food, good word, and good fun.
95. Be flexible.	96. Delight in their uniqueness.
97. Let them make mistakes.	98. Notice when they grow.
99. Wave and honk when you drive by them.	100. Give them immediate feedback.

101. Include them in conversations.	102. Respect them.
103. Join in their adventures.	104. Visit their schools.
105. Help them learn something new.	106. Be understanding when they have a difficult day.
107. Give them good choices.	108. Respect the choices they make.
109. Be silly together.	110. Hang out together.
111. Make time to be with them.	112. Inspire their creativity.
113. Accept them as they are.	114. Become their advocate.
115. Appreciate their individuality.	116. Talk openly with them.
117. Tolerate their interruptions.	118. Trust them.
119. Share a secret.	120. Write a chalk message on their sidewalk
121. Create a safe, open environment.	122. Be available.
123. Cheer their accomplishments.	124. Encourage them to help others
125. Tackle new tasks together.	126. Believe what they say.
127. Help them taker a stand and stand with them.	128. Daydream with them.
129. Do what they like to do.	130. Make decisions together.
131. Magnify their magnificence.	132. Build something together.
133. Encourage them to think big.	134. Celebrate their firsts and lasts, such as the first school day.
135. Go places together.	136. Welcome their suggestions.
137. Visit them when they're sick.	138. Tape-record a message for them.
139. Help them learn from mistakes.	140. Be sincere.
141. Introduce them to people of excellence.	142. Tell them what you expect of them.
143. Give them your phone number.	144. Introduce them to new experiences.
145. Share a meal together.	146. Talk directly together.
147. Be spontaneous.	148. Expect their best; don't expect perfection.
149. Empower them to help and be themselves.	150. Love them, no matter what.

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