In Africa when it comes to love, parent often don't show it because they feel like they are enabling a child's stubbornness. Parenting.com shares a few tips on how you can show your children that you can strike a balance.
How to dish out unexpected hugs, kisses and cuddles to show your kid affection
Try massage
Baby rubdowns help preemies gain weight faster and improve sleep quality.
Be random
Tell your child you love her during dinner, riding in the car, or after she makes you laugh.
Discipline affectionately
Touch your kids even when they're acting naughty. If one sibling whacks another, for example, get down to his level, hold his hand or rub his back, and say "We don't hit. Hitting hurts!"
Get creative
If your child just isn't a cuddler, you can still connect in smaller ways: Ruffle his hair, roughhouse with him (yep, this counts!), dance together, or exchange winks.
Be there when she fails
"Kids learn more from their missteps than their successes," says Kenneth Rubin, Ph.D., a professor of human development at the University of Maryland, in College Park. Let her make some mistakes—then listen, and give reassurance and cuddles.
Give hugs in good times—and bad
It's easy to be affectionate when your kid is being an angel, but it can be even more powerful to give him a big, loving squeeze after an argument.
Respect her limits
Try not to smother your child if she's annoyed by it, and don't force her to kiss or hug anyone she doesn't want to (Great-Auntie will have to get over it). You also needn't stress about being Super Affectionate Mom all the time to make sure your child feels loved. She does!
With those tips we hope you give your babies the best start in life.