There are some things I like to tell my children every day. Or, at least, there are things I think about each day; sometimes I fall short of sharing these thoughts with my children, though I aim to. With a big family, we have to make conscious efforts to make each child feel special, loved and unique, and these words bring smiles to our babies’ faces.

1) I dreamed about you last night

2) I’ve been thinking of you all day

3) all I want to do is cuddle you

4) my favourite thing is when you read to me/tell me stories/tell me about your day

5) who did you play with today?/What happened at school?/What did you learn today?/What was the favourite thing about your day?/ Tell me about the highs/lows of your day.

6) I love it when we (cook/read/watch tv/hang out/play) together

7) you are the most beautiful (9/6/2) year old I know/you are my favourite (9/6/2) year old in the world/ Of all the (9/6/2) year olds in the world, I would choose you

8) I am so lucky to have you in my life/I can’t believe how lucky I am that you are my child/ I feel lucky/blessed every day that you are my baby/ When you were born I felt … And I went like this … (They love hearing their birth stories!)

9) I have always wanted a child just like you/ when I was a child I dreamed about having a child just like you/ when I was pregnant with you I saw you in my dreams (I dreamed about my babies before I even met them; they love hearing about that)

10) I love you with all my heart, up to the moon and back 6 million times

I’m a busy mum. We are all busy, with work, husbands (or not), houses and children (and oftentimes other commitments too, like exercise, gardens, animals, friends and hobbies) taking our time. However, the most important thing I can do for my children is make sure they know how much I love them and how much I feel blessed and treasured to have them. Even if I cannot give them all the time in the world, I can try to ensure they know that they have all the love in the world.

Say something beautiful to someone you love, today.