It seems my children do much better when I give them lots of hugs and constantly touch them. Particularly the older one. This is so out of my realm. I am NOT a touchy feely person. Yet I have seen a huge difference in the older one if I just walk over and touch his arm. This is NOT easy or fun for me. I have to force myself to do it. Even though the rewards have been great, I find myself excited that school is in session. Talk about going ‘outside the box’… I’m so far out with this that I RUN back when given the chance. Sigh. Makes me feel like I’m a bad mommy. I’m not. I have good kids and they are turning out better than any mother could hope. But I just don’t want to constantly touch and be touched. It’s going to a long 12 years…
I’m not a touchy feely person either. But, as the boys grew older and wanted to snuggle and hug less, the more I relish when they did. I learned from them how it can just change your day. I miss those opportunities now. You’re a great mom. Keep up the excellent work.
You ARE a great Mom, VW. There’s nothing like a couch snuggle reading a book together! Won’t be long til they start acting like they don’t know us!
Enjoy the snuggles and cuddles while you can still get them. For the day may soon come where your kids will regard a mother’s touch as poison. To where any show of affection, particularly in public, will be regarded as a punishment to them.
There is something about the touch that makes my kids (and I) take a deep breath when we are struggling with emotions. It’s not easy but it does seem to help focus all of us. I don’t think that you are a bad mother simply because you are not comfortable with it. You still do it for your kids DESPITE that and I’d say that makes you one of the BEST Moms!