Wonderful Ways to Love a Child. Judy Ford
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Praise for Wonderful Ways to Love a Child
“Wonderful Ways to Love a Child is a beautiful guide to aid parents in cultivating love, understanding, respect, and kindness in the most important relationship they will ever have—the one with their child.”
—Amanda Ford, author of Be True to Yourself and Retail Therapy
“A beautiful and moving guide to connecting with your child. I buy this for all my parental friends!”
—Becca Anderson, author of The Book of Awesome Women
“If you don’t have a child, surprise someone who does and give them a copy of this book. They’ll love you for it!”
—The New Times
“A must for every family library.”
—USA Today
Wonderful Ways to Love a Child
Other Books by Judy Ford
Wonderful Ways to Love a Teen
Wonderful Ways to Be a Family
Wonderful Ways to Be a Stepparent
Wonderful Ways to Love a Grandchild
Expecting Baby
Between Mother and Daughter
Getting Over Getting Mad
Wonderful Ways to Love a Child
Inspired Ideas for Raising
Happy, Healthy Children
Judy Ford
Coral Gables
Copyright © 1991, 2003, 2020 Judy Ford
2020 edition published by Conari Press, an imprint of Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc.
Cover: Roberto Nuñez
Interior Design: Jermaine Lau
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Coral Gables, FL 33134 USA
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Wonderful Ways to Love a Child: Inspired Ideas for Raising Happy, Healthy Children
LCCN has been requested
ISBNs: (p) 978-1-64250-292-3 (e) 978-1-64250-293-0
BISAC: FAM020000, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Parenting / Fatherhood
Printed in the United States of America
For Amanda Leigh who so graciously allows me to share our story.
Table of Contents
Ask Their Opinions
Learn from Them
Say Yes as Often as Possible
Say No When Necessary
Honor Their Noes
Celebrate Mistakes
Admit Your Mistakes
Touch Gently
Teach That All Feelings Are Acceptable
Speak to Their True Feelings
Let Them Cry
Don’t Hide Your Tears
Make Room for the Crankies and the Quarrels
Teach Values by Example
Honor Their Differences
Share Your Dreams
Expressions
Change Your Routine
Laugh, Dance, and Sing Together
Call Them Love Names
Send Them Love Letters
Build Lots of Blanket Forts
Fly Kites Together
Lighten Up
Take Time Away
Read Books Aloud
Create a Circle of Quiet
Play Hooky Together
Walk in the Rain
Go Barefoot
Frame Their Art and Hang It on the Wall