Make time for your older children

In a large family with a range of ages, babies, toddlers, teens, it’s easy to concentrate on the little ones and leave our older children to get by with not much attention.

The Blue House by Marc Chagall, 1917

I found that as my children got into their mid to late teens that they needed time to talk and it was usually at the most inconvenient times, like when I was just about to go to bed.

Older children are usually taught to give place to the younger ones resulting in a lack of affection being extended to those children who are past the cute stage. Toddlers are in your face affectionate and just the right size for a cuddle. Older kids and teenagers less so!

Young people are love hungry. They will sell their souls for love & we see the results of that all around us. A word of wisdom to those who are not demonstrative by nature:

‘Actions do not speak louder than words to a young heart; he must feel it in your touch, see it in your eye, hear it in your tones, or you will never convince child or boy that you love him, though you labour day and night for his good and his pleasure…let your children feel and see and be quite sure that you love them.’

Charlotte Mason, Formation of Character, Part 1