Let’s use Valentine’s Day as a day to express kindness and caring for ourselves and for others.

Here are some suggestions to share with your child about the ways we can express caring. Show them how to give the gift of a smile.

A smile is a gift of love that brings cheer to ourselves and to those who receive it.  So give a smile: it’s a feeling good about yourself feeling–you can see it, you can feel.

1.Give Yourself A Smile

Ask your child to smile in the mirror at her/him self.  You  do it, too. What happens?

Your beautiful face seems to brighten up. It gives you a good feeling, doesn’t it?

2. Smile At Someone

Give the smile away by smiling at someone.  Notice the look on that person’s face when you give him or her a smile. It makes them smile back at you and makes them feel happy too!

3. Send Someone A Smile

Draw a happy face and send it to someone you might not see for the holiday or take a photograph of your child saying “YES, I love you!” smiling.

Remind your child to look for the good in others and look for the good within.

There is a beautiful teaching from A Course in Miracles which says:

When you meet anyone, remember it is a Holy Encounter. As you see him you see yourself. As you think of him, you will think of yourself. Never forget this, for in him you will find yourself or lose yourself. 

Remind your child to look for the good in others and look for the good within and you will see how a simple smile can light up the world with kindness and goodness..