Its a new year. At this time of year, I am always wracking my brain to decide what sort of resolutions to make. This year, I decided to make my resolution one of better communications. I need to communicate better with my husband, my parents and my kids. I need to tell them exactly how I feel about them more often. Yes, actions do speak louder than words, but sometimes, we need to say the words.

How am I going to accomplish this, you ask? Well, I’d like to share one way with you. This is something so quick and easy and can be added to your regular daily routine. But, as easy as it is, it is just SO meaningful and is something that will be remembered by your children as they age.

At least once a week, I send a little note card into the lunch box of either my daughter or son. I make a few at a time so they are really quick to add in at a moment’s notice. They do not need to be difficult either – just a little stamp on the outside or just a note hand-written on the inside. I’ll write a wee note of encouragement or make mention of something they’ve done recently that I’m really proud of.

To the right, this card was given to my son recently after a great soccer game and to the left, a card that was sent just to encourage my daughter to try her best on a math test.

Have your children make the cards up with you and store them in a special box to be used later. Not only is this enhancing the day to day parent/child relationship as well as they will start to send little notes to each other!

Sure, when they are teenagers, you probably won’t do this as often but, after a really bad night crying over a boy or after a big hockey loss, these little notes of affection will be just like a hug – consoling and warm.