I keep things I find inspirational. I have had this long list, brightly colored for years. For some time now it has been tacked to my broom closet door as a reminder to me.

It is titled 150 Ways to Show Kids You Care. This is not just about my kids, but all kids I come in contact with.

Here it goes:

1. Notice them
2. Smile a lot
3. Acknowledge Them
4. Seek them out
5. Remember their birthdays
6. Ask them about themselves
7. Look in their eyes when yo talk to them
8. Listen to Them
9. Read aloud together
10. Giggle together
11. Be nice
12. say yes a lot
13. Tell them their feelings are okay
14. Set boundaries the keep them safe
15. Be honest
16. Be yourself
17. Listen to their stories
18. Hug them
19. Forget your worries sometimes an concentrate only on them
20. Not when they are acting differently
21. Present options when they seek your counsel
22. Play outside together
23. Surprise them
24. Stay with them when they are afraid
25. Invite them over for juice
26. Suggest better behaviors when they act out
27. Feed them when they are hungry
28. Delight in their discoveries
29. Share their excitement
30. Send them a letter or a postcard
31. Follow them when they lead
32. Notice when they are absent
33. Call them to say hello
34. Hide surprises for them to fine
35. Give them space when they need it
36. Contribute to their collections
37. Discuss their dreams and nightmares
38. Laugh at their jokes
39. Be relaxed
40. Kneel, squat, or sit so you'r at their eye level
41. Answer their questions
42. Tell them how terrific they are
43. Create a tradition with them and keep it
44. Learn what they have to teach
45. Use your ears more than your mouth
46. Make yourself available
47. Show up at their concerts, games and events
48. Make yourself available
    
49. Find a common interest
50. Hold hands during a walk
51. Apologize when you've done something wrong
52. Listen to their favorite music with them
53. Keep the promises you make
54. Wave and smile when you part
55. Display their artwork in your home
56. Thank them
57. Point out what you like about them
58. Clip magazine pictures or articles that interest them
59. give them lots of compliments
60. Catch them doing something right
61. Encourage win-win solutions
62. Give them your undivided attention
63. Ask their opinion
64. Have fun together
65. Be curious with them
66. Introduce them to your friends and family
67. Tell them how much you like being with them
68. Let them solve most of their own problems
69. Meet their friends
70. Meet their parents
71. Let them tell you how they feel
72. Help them become an expert at something
73. Be excited when you see them
74. Tell them about yourself
75. Let them act their age
76. Praise more, criticize less
77. Be consistent
78. Admit when you have made a mistake
79. Enjoy your time together
80. Give them a special nickname
81. Marvel at what they can do
82. Tell them how proud you are of them
83. Pamper them
84. Unwind together
85. Be a happy person
86. Ask them to help you
    
87. Support them
88. Applaud their successes
89. Deal with problems and conflicts with they are still small
90. Chaperone a dance
91. Tell them stories in which they are the hero
92. Believe in them
93. Nurture them with good food, good words and good fun
94. Be flexible
95. Delight in their uniqueness
96. Let them make mistakes
97. Notice when they grow
98. Wave and honk when you drive by them
99. Give them immediate feedback
100. Include them in conversations
101. Respect them
102. Join in their adventures
103. Visit their schools
104. Help them learn something new
105. Be understanding when they have a difficult day
106. Give them good choices
107. Respect the choices that they make
108. Be silly sometimes
109. Sometimes just "hang out" with them
110. Make time to be with them
111. Inspire their creativity
112. Accept them as they are
113. Become their advocate
114. Appreciate their individuality
115. Talk open with them
116. Tolerate their interruptions
117. Trust them
118. Share a secret
119. Write a chalk message on their sidewalk
120. Create a safe, open environment

(HOLD ON - I have to listen to a Story from my teenage boy : Girl Issues)

1. Be available
2. Cheer them on
3. Encourage them to help others
4. Tackle new tasks together
5. Believe what they say
6. Help them take a stand and stand with them - I like this one!
7. Daydream with them
8. Do what they like to do
9. Make decisions together
10. Magnify their magnificence
11. Build something together
12. Encourage them to think big
13. Celebrate their firsts and lasts, such as the first day of school
14. Go places together
15. Welcome their suggestions
16. Visit them when they are sick
17. Tape-record a message for them
18. Help them learn from their mistakes
19. Be sincere
20. Introduce them to people of excellence
21. Tell them what you expect of them
22. Give them what you expect of them
23. Give them your phone number
24. Introduce them to new experiences
25. Share a meal together
26. Talk directly together
27. Be spontaneous
28. Expect their best, don't expect perfection
29. Empower them to help and be themselves
30. Love them, no matter what!