Childcare, 20 Wacky Ways to Tell Your Teen that ‘You Love Them’

Even though they won’t tell you so, teenagers still want to know they are loved. Most parents will do that in the traditional ways: saying “I love you” when they leave for a trip, before hanging up on the phone or on special occasions.

Parents also show their love by the things they do. Again, most of the time, it is in the usual ways at the usual times. Consider changing things up a little and letting your teen know of your love in a more unusual fashion.

Here are some ideas straight from the mouths of teens to get you thinking.

• Create a cheer and a routine and perform it for your teen when he comes home from school, camp or a trip. A surprise greeting is sure to put a little color in his cheeks.
• Write a speech about how you feel about your teen. You can give your speech at the dinner table or a family gathering. Sure, it will probably be embarrassing at a big family event, but chances are the embarrassment won’t be nearly as great as the unspoken appreciation.
• Make a video. You can get really creative here with a story line and fancy graphics, or just your face telling your kid how much you care. One of the nice things about a video is that you can save it and watch again when you need to.
• For those who are very up on technology and music, try remixing a song that adds in your words of love. The cornier the better. Just make sure you have a rockin’ beat!
• Some teens might still bring lunch to school. If that’s the case with your kid, why not stick a note in there…make sure it’s sweet enough to put a smile on his face!
• If you are the one who makes the lunch, consider cutting sandwiches into heart shapes. Parents do it all the time for little kids, and your teen may actually appreciate the sentiment. Although, you may have to pack two sandwiches since he’s probably growing.
• It seems that just about every teen on the planet loves to text. Take advantage of the situation and “blow up the phone,” which means send several text messages within a relatively short period of time. There’s a thin line between humorous and annoying, though. Then again, kids cross that line on a regular basis!
• Parents who are musically gifted can write a song for their teen, and if you can find a venue to have it played, so much the better. Of course, even if you just play it at home, the message will be clear.
• Even though email is one of the most popular modes of communication right now, everyone still loves getting something in the mail that doesn’t need to be paid by a certain date. There are humorous cards available that you can send to your kid. It might be more fun coming through the mail, but you can also just tuck it somewhere unexpectedly where she will see it.
• It may be expensive, but you could rent a billboard with special sentiments in bold letters. Or, if you aren’t rolling in the big bucks, putting up a sign on the lawn, the porch or the living room will suffice.
• You can now purchase cards that allow you to record a message to the recipient. Think up a funny message, record it and give it to your kid.
• Artistic parents can put together a collage to show their love for the special teen in their lives. Let your imagination run wild with your creation. You can use pictures of your teen’s favorite foods, cars, places, whatever. Make it as big or as small as you like, just make sure it reflects your love.
• If a collage doesn’t work for you, try a painting that reflects your feelings. If nothing else, it’s sure to become a treasured keepsake.
• Planes flying marriage proposals seem to be making a comeback these days. How about a flying sign that lets your teen know how special he is?
• Many of the radio stations do “shout outs” to friends and family of listeners. Find out if your teen’s favorite station offers this and if it does, give them a call to give your kid a shout out.
• White board markers work great on mirrors. Imagine your teen’s face when she goes in the bathroom in the morning, looks in the mirror and finds a message from you all done up in hearts!
• Your teen would not expect a singing telegram from Mom and Dad. That’s exactly why you should send one, with lots of love!
• Consider putting a notice of affection in your local newspaper. You can even do it in code to squelch the embarrassment your teen might feel.
• Bake a cake, or buy one if you’re not handy in the kitchen, and decorate it with words of love and encouragement. Extra points for springing a surprise cake on your teen when there’s no special occasion on the horizon.
• Create a power point slide show and email it to your kid.

If nothing else, he might be amazed at your technical abilities!

Letting your teenager know how much you love him may embarrass him a little if it’s carried out in the sight of peers, especially if you do it in a unique manner.

You don’t want your gesture of affection to backfire on you, so take into consideration your child’s temperament.

But, if you are fortunate, your teen will realize how lucky he is and that your special attention is something most kids wish their parents would give them.

Thanks to Paul Taylor