Comments on: How Hugging Your Child Shapes Their Happiness for Life https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/children-hugging/ Tue, 02 Apr 2024 17:33:20 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Ali https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/children-hugging/#comment-50796 https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/?p=19705#comment-50796 In reply to Ali.

And this (above) is from a boy who was not a hugger as an infant! Which I found really hard when he was an older baby/toddler as I found it harder to connect with him and felt rejected by his not wanting hugs, or not initiating cuddles.
He still often doesn’t like me kissing him, so I can only sometimes get kisses in as part of a ‘kissy hug’ where I cover him in lots of little kisses in different places and he’ll laugh. I try my best to remember to ask if I can kiss him goodnight before doing so.

]]> By: Ali https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/children-hugging/#comment-50795 https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/?p=19705#comment-50795 We have a “cuddle carry” which my 4yo asks for on a semi regular basis, especially when he’s feeling a bit anxious or reluctant about going somewhere. We started it when I was first dropping him off at childcare. I think it taps into the longer hugging, calming effect. Its basically a standing up cuddle where I pick him up and he wraps his legs round my torso and I start walking – the forward momentum helps us feel pressed closer together.

We also have the “monkey baby” hug where I pretend we’re chimps as he attaches himself with arms and legs round my torso (sometimes front, sometimes side, sometimes back) in a way that I only need one arm to hold him, or sometimes no arms as he’s doing all the ‘holding’. Then I move around in a way that a chimp parent might, slightly swinging him (using my arms to cradle him), which gives a bit of rhythm and movement together.

]]> By: Kelly Holmes https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/children-hugging/#comment-19647 https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/?p=19705#comment-19647 In reply to Laura.

Laura, I can certainly relate! Here’s to refreshing our hug habits. :)

]]> By: Kelly Holmes https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/children-hugging/#comment-19646 https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/?p=19705#comment-19646 In reply to Chani.

Oh my goodness, Chani. That is the MOST adorable hug tradition! Thank you so much for sharing that. <3

]]> By: Kelly Holmes https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/children-hugging/#comment-19645 https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/?p=19705#comment-19645 In reply to Jill Nissen.

Glad to hear this resonated with you, Jill! :)

]]> By: Laura https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/children-hugging/#comment-19240 https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/?p=19705#comment-19240 I have definitely fallen into only giving quick hugs. Thank you so much for posting this! I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my kids with some hugs!

]]> By: Chani https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/children-hugging/#comment-19217 https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/?p=19705#comment-19217 Love these!! Another fun one! The Simon says hug! We started this when my son was about 2 year old.
“Simon says open your arms.”
“Simon says wrap them around your mommy.”
“Simon says squeeeeeeze!”
He loved it! He’s 8 now and whenever he needs an extra smile I just call his name and say, “Simon says open your arms!”

]]> By: Jill Nissen https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/children-hugging/#comment-18198 https://happyyouhappyfamily.com/?p=19705#comment-18198 Those are some great ideas, and I like the research that you presented.

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