What do your kids do that make you feel really, really good? Like everything is going to be ok?

I play baseball with my oldest. When I see him smile, I smile. When I hear my baby laugh and coo, I laugh too. When I hug them, my heart is lighter. When I kiss them, my heart is bursting. I rub my babies little head, and feel goodness and purety. When my oldest hugs me when I cry, I feel loved and needed. When I rock my baby to sleep, I feel at peace.

What do your kids do to make you feel good?

HBach: Thanks for the lift me up! It should be and is all about the children! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> What a love-hate relationship, huh? But when that love is expressed, no other place I would like to be! A simmple smile, a hug, a giggle, the look of learning something new, a hearty-laugh. No other feeling, than that degree of love!

(I felt extremely compelled to post because we all seem to be so wrapped up in the negative aspects of relationships--which, I understand we *have* to be to improve--but i don't see many replies to warm and fuzzy posts like this one.) Thanks! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

halseybach, I can say for sure that I'm very glad I have my kids specifically because of the way they make me feel. After I put them to bed, and the house is quiet, the dogs are laying on me, I'm typing away on the laptop, and out from nowhere one of the girls will yell from her bed, "Daddy?" "Yes baby?" "You're the best daddy in the whole world."

It almost brings tears to my eyes. It makes me feel really good since I know that before d-day, I was far from being a good dad. Part of my personal recovery has been my attempt to get closer to my girls and be the best dad I can be. When they say stuff like that, I know I'm doing well and it makes the struggle worth while.

I love these posts!

Liny, you are so right. We get so wrapped up in ourselves and our problems, that we tend to overlook those little children.

Lego: What a heartwarming post. I love to hear dad's talk like that. I know what you mean about when they say "you're the best mommy/daddy in the world". My oldest likes to see how big he can make it (it's now in the "whole universe").

I too am trying to be closer with mine. During all this recovery, its hard, but we can only try and keep trying to be the best we can be.

i have a 14yr old daughter about to go to HS (SCARY!!!!) and a 10yr old son.

my daughter still likes me to read to her. we read novels together, although it takes too long and she gets impatient!! we are reading Lightning by Dean Kuntz right now (good book!). last weekend we went camping, just us two and we got to read a lot, this weekend it turns out we are going again, just for one night this time. i hope we can finish the book!! i have been so blessed with my daughter, we have a wonderful relationship, even with her being a teenager. we have our moments, but over all, i adore her and i am sure she feels this from me.

my son and i enjoy music together. He is the BEST concert date. we are going to see blues travelers next tuesday. i can't wait. he stands on the seat, puts his arm around my neck and boogies with me. it is the best. his first concert, (4yrs ago?) was Back Street Boys. I held him the entire time, the screaming girls were getting to him but he didn't want to leave. His cheek was literally pressed on my check the entire time. He was so overwhelemed but he so wanted to be at that concert!!! I had a 2hr hug during that concert!!! it was probably the first group he took a liking to on his own. i'm sure it was the first cd he ever wanted to own. and we would play nerf football in his room while listening and when we would go roller skating and a song came on from that cd, we would skate together (which usually meant going lightening speed!!! luckiely i am a good skater and can keep up.) he is my little italian, just like me. my daughter looks like my H, but he looks like me. Unfortunately, his personality takes after me too much too and i fear he is going to be a handful as he gets older. but we will work it out.

i don't usually say good things about myself, but... i believe i have been an excellent mom. i know the A and the internal turmoil took a toll on my abliity (i think it impacted my son more than my daughter) but that time is over now. I adore my children, they are such wonderful blessings from God. i love having them in my life, i love helping them to smile and enjoy life and be happy. and in return, they give me such joy by just hanging around.

thanks for this topic. i enjoyed posting to it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

My son is 3. Whenever they're at my house, several times during the day, he'll say, "Daddy? I miss you."

My daughter is 6, and thinks I'm the funniest person in the world. Has for years. That always brings a smile to my face.

halseybach - Thanks for the post!! Its so hard to remember the little things during times like these! My son is almost 3 and his big thing right now is to run up to me after I come home from the gym or the store and yell "Mommy - so good to see you" and then gives me a big hug. He acts like I have been gone for days intead of an hour and the smile on his face when he sees me brings tears to my eyes.
My daughter just turned 6 months and now follows me with her eyes AND head wherever I go. She has now started reaching up for me if I pass by and her laugh is wonderful!
The way each interacts with my H and how he interacts with them also warms my heart. The love that is in this house is the only thing that gets me thru the truely terrible days!

My daughter is 13 going on 14, she'll be entering highschool in the fall. I sit back astonished sometime how grown she has become. I want so much for life to be full of happiness and discovery of herself. These are of course trying times, she searches for independence and an understanding of herself. She's beautiful and I told her so just this morning.

My son is 6 and he just lost his 2nd front tooth. These days our biggest thrill is taking the training wheels off his back. I love his spirit, his unselfishness and his innocence. During our separation he lived mostly with me and we have such an incredible bond! Ridding a 2 wheel is a big step for a 6 year old and when he grew discouraged I told him "Crawfords don't quit" (our last name is Crawford) and now whenever he struggles with anything he says "Dad, I'm not going to quit" and I'll say why not? and he'll say "DAAAAAD, whew! Crawfords Dont Quit, Yah Know???"

I love my children more than life itself!

<small>[ July 24, 2004, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: FamilyMatters ]</small>

I picked up my oldest (7) from Chicago this weekend. He spent a week in Minnesota with his grandparents. That night, he missed me so much that when we went to sleep, he spent the whole night curled around me hugging me. Every time I'd wake up, he'd be there hugging me or just put his little hand on my arm, just to be close. When we went to dinner, he was like "I want to sit next to my mommy!" When we drove anywhere, he wanted to sit by me. It was so heartwarming. I missed him so much.