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Because even when life is hectic, they still need to feel like they matter most.
When my week is a blur of meetings, dishes, emails, and laundry piles, I sometimes crawl into bed wondering if my kids got the best of me or just what was left of me. Mom guilt is real. And when I’m stretched thin, the last thing I want is for my girls to feel like they’ve been put on the back burner.
The good news? I’ve learned that showing love doesn’t always mean big, Pinterest-perfect gestures. Sometimes the smallest things are the ones that stick with them most. Here are five simple ways I make sure my kids feel seen, safe, and deeply loved, especially during those extra busy weeks.
1. I Give Them My Eyes, Even for Just 30 Seconds
There are days when I’m juggling five things at once, trying to answer a work email while stirring dinner, breaking up sibling arguments, and mentally tracking bedtime routines.
But I’ve noticed something about my girls. When they want to tell me something, no matter how silly or small, they’re not just looking for words back. They’re looking for me.
So I try to pause when they talk to me. Even if I’m mid-task, I try to stop for just 30 seconds, kneel or bend down, and give them my full attention. I look them in the eye, smile, and really listen.
Sometimes it’s a made-up story about a flying unicorn. Sometimes it’s “Mommy, my sock is crooked!” But whatever it is, I want them to know they’re worth being heard.
It doesn’t take long, but it means everything. Those 30 seconds say, “I see you. You’re important to me.” And honestly, it often helps me reset too.
2. I Give an Extra-Long Hug for No Reason
When we’re racing through the day, hugs can turn into quick shoulder taps or one-armed squeezes while I’m halfway through wiping a counter or answering a question from the other room. But when I slow down and give my girls a long, full hug with no rush and no reason, they melt into it.
Sometimes I’ll scoop one of them up, hold her tight, and whisper, “You are so loved.” Other times I’ll crouch down to their level and just stay in the hug until they let go.
It’s such a small thing, but it does something big. It helps them feel safe. Grounded. Reconnected.
Especially on the days when I’ve been distracted or snappy, that extra-long hug is like a reset button for both of us. It says, “Even when life is busy, I always have time to hold you close.”
3. I Make Their Snack or Meal Feel Special
On busy days, I’m not whipping up gourmet dinners. Honestly, some nights it’s cereal, fish sticks, or chicken nuggets on repeat. But I’ve found little ways to make even the most basic meals feel like a moment of love.
I might serve their fruit using these food picks or use a fun plate they haven’t seen in a while. Sometimes I cut sandwiches into shapes or add sprinkles to pancakes just because it makes them smile. They both love it when I say, “Want to have a picnic in the living room?”
It doesn’t have to be fancy or take extra time. The magic is in the intention. When I take a second to add something playful or let them make a choice, it turns an ordinary meal into something cozy and memorable.
It says, “I thought about you, and I wanted this to feel fun.”
4. I Let Them Pick Something, Even When I’m Tired
By the end of the day, I’m usually running low on patience and brainpower. The last thing I want is another decision to make. But I’ve learned that giving my kids the chance to choose something, anything, can really fill their cup.
It might be which pajamas they wear, which book we read, or what music we play in the car. Sometimes it’s as simple as, “Should we do three kisses or five before bed tonight?”
These choices are tiny, but they matter. They remind my girls that their opinions are valued and that they have a say in our day.
And honestly, when everything else feels go go go, letting them make a decision slows us both down for a second. It gives them a sense of control in a world that often moves too fast and it shows them I care about what they think.
Even when I’m tired, it’s a small yes that makes a big impact.
5. I Say the Words Out Loud, Over and Over Again
One of my favorite things to do is ask my girls, “Guess what?”
They’ve heard it so many times now that they don’t even pause. They smile and say, “You love me.” And I always answer, “So, so much.”
It started as something small I’d say during diaper changes or while buckling car seats. Now it’s become a little ritual. A reminder that my love for them isn’t conditional, and it’s never in question.
I also try to slip in things like:
- “I love getting to be your mom.”
- “You make my day better.”
- “There’s nothing you could do to make me stop loving you.”
Words stick. Especially the ones we repeat.
So even when I’m running behind or feeling frazzled, I make sure they hear the most important thing of all. That they are deeply loved, exactly as they are.
The Takeaway
I don’t always get it right. There are still days when I snap too quickly, forget to slow down, or feel like I barely kept everything together. But these five little things—eye contact, extra-long hugs, fun meals, small choices, and spoken love—help me show my girls that they matter, even when life gets hectic.
Because at the end of the day, our kids don’t need perfection. They just need to feel seen, safe, and loved.
If this week feels busy or overwhelming, maybe try one of these simple ideas. You don’t have to do them all. Just start with one and see what kind of connection blooms from it.
What’s one small thing you do to help your kids feel loved when life is busy? I’d love to hear it and maybe borrow it for next week. 💛