We are in this business to provide fun to all families that we encounter. One way for parents to have fun with their kids is to hug them! This is for you dads.....
Studies have shown that physical affection can benefit children in countless ways. Hugging your children can boost their self-esteem, gives them a sense of security and can even increase their IQ. Hugging can actually create chemical reactions that reduce stress and lower blood pressure.
Why do many men have absolutely no idea how to hug? We’ve see a variety of pseudo-hugs techniques that don’t quite convey the intended message.
The sideways hug
The back pat
The 5 second hug
The handshake/ hug combo
Many men have grown up in a generation where physical affection from their parents was a foreign concept. Hearing “I love you” or being on the receiving end of bear hug from dad was just not typical behavior. It was a generational thing– men were firm household providers- hug the kids? Huh-uh, leave that to mom.
Men- It’s OK to hug your kids, in fact hug them every day. Look them in the eyes and tell them you love them- tell your children why they’re unique and special. Time moves on and with it your window of influence in their lives. Going to soccer games is great, working hard to provide a relaxing vacation is admirable, hugging your children is essential. The benefits of a good hug are tremendous and certainly not limited to your children.
Bill Keane, the Family Circus cartoonist put it like this “A hug is like a boomerang, you get it back right away.”
