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365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories
Growing up in a financially strapped, South Georgia farming family, Julie Lavender learned to appreciate small yet meaningful affirmations of love when her parents found ways to visibly demonstrate their feelings. Later, when she had her own children, Julie delighted in finding creative ways to express her love for them, as well as for the children whose lives she touched through teaching school and volunteering in the children's ministry at her church.
In 365 Ways to Love Your Child , Julie encourages moms, dads, and anyone who works with children to show kids every day with simple but meaningful gestures and activities how very much they are loved. Join Julie in expressing tangible acts of love to show your kids they are valued by their parents and, most especially, by God.
In 365 Ways to Love Your Child , Julie encourages moms, dads, and anyone who works with children to show kids every day with simple but meaningful gestures and activities how very much they are loved. Join Julie in expressing tangible acts of love to show your kids they are valued by their parents and, most especially, by God.
- GenresParentingNonfiction
152 pages, Paperback
Published October 20, 2020
6 people are currently reading
1211 people want to read
About the author
Julie Lavender
25 books64 followersA recent guest on Focus on the Family Broadcast, Julie Lavender is a journalist, author, and former homeschooling mom of twenty-five years who holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. Julie is married to her high-school and college sweetheart, and Julie and David are the parents of four, in-laws of two, and grandparents of one.
Julie loved living in various locations across the country as the wife of a medical entomologist for the United States Navy. After her husband retired from active duty, the family moved back to their hometown, and David began work as a wildlife biologist at a nearby Army installation.
Julie's is the author of Strength for All Seasons: A Mom's Devotional of Powerful Verses and Prayers, published by Zeitgeist, a Penguin Random House imprint. Children's Bible Stories for Bedtime, also published by Penguin Random House, is available in paperback and hardback, and a bilingual edition launches this year. She also wrote 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories (Revell/Baker Publishing) and co-wrote two devotionals with BroadStreet Publishing. Julie was one of twelve winners for Guideposts Magazine’s writer’s contest and attended a weeklong session in New York with Guideposts editors to learn more about writing for their publications.
Her writing appears in these magazines: Guideposts, Angels on Earth, Mysterious Ways, All Creatures, Clubhouse, Country Woman, Taste of Home, Today’s Christian Woman, Focus on the Family, Mature Living, ParentLife, Refresh, Southern Writers, Homeschooling Today, The Old Schoolhouse, Secret Place, and more.
Julie is the author of the homeschooling and family devotional: 365 Days of Celebration and Praise, the party planning book: Creative Sleepovers for Kids, and three teacher resource books: Wonder Women of the Bible, Super Men of the Bible, and Scripture Adventures.
Her work is also included in various compilations, like, Lighthouse Bible Studies’ Heart Renovation and Feed Your Soul with the Word of God, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Touched by an Angel, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Positive, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas, Gary Chapman’s Love is a Verb: 365 Daily Inspirations to Bring Love Alive, Guideposts’ True Stories of Extraordinary Answers to Prayer: The Desires of Your Heart, and Short and Sweet Too.
Julie contributed curriculum lessons in more than two dozen Group Publishing, Incorporated books and previously wrote for the children’s section of the Denver Post.
She is represented by Cyle Young, of Cyle Young Literary Elite.
Julie loves spending time with her family, baking, and traveling to new places.
Julie loved living in various locations across the country as the wife of a medical entomologist for the United States Navy. After her husband retired from active duty, the family moved back to their hometown, and David began work as a wildlife biologist at a nearby Army installation.
Julie's is the author of Strength for All Seasons: A Mom's Devotional of Powerful Verses and Prayers, published by Zeitgeist, a Penguin Random House imprint. Children's Bible Stories for Bedtime, also published by Penguin Random House, is available in paperback and hardback, and a bilingual edition launches this year. She also wrote 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories (Revell/Baker Publishing) and co-wrote two devotionals with BroadStreet Publishing. Julie was one of twelve winners for Guideposts Magazine’s writer’s contest and attended a weeklong session in New York with Guideposts editors to learn more about writing for their publications.
Her writing appears in these magazines: Guideposts, Angels on Earth, Mysterious Ways, All Creatures, Clubhouse, Country Woman, Taste of Home, Today’s Christian Woman, Focus on the Family, Mature Living, ParentLife, Refresh, Southern Writers, Homeschooling Today, The Old Schoolhouse, Secret Place, and more.
Julie is the author of the homeschooling and family devotional: 365 Days of Celebration and Praise, the party planning book: Creative Sleepovers for Kids, and three teacher resource books: Wonder Women of the Bible, Super Men of the Bible, and Scripture Adventures.
Her work is also included in various compilations, like, Lighthouse Bible Studies’ Heart Renovation and Feed Your Soul with the Word of God, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Touched by an Angel, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Positive, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas, Gary Chapman’s Love is a Verb: 365 Daily Inspirations to Bring Love Alive, Guideposts’ True Stories of Extraordinary Answers to Prayer: The Desires of Your Heart, and Short and Sweet Too.
Julie contributed curriculum lessons in more than two dozen Group Publishing, Incorporated books and previously wrote for the children’s section of the Denver Post.
She is represented by Cyle Young, of Cyle Young Literary Elite.
Julie loves spending time with her family, baking, and traveling to new places.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 14, 2020
This is a sweet faith-based book that's filled with simple ways to show your children that you love them. It's broken down into chapters like outside and in the kitchen. Most of them are very simple, like rubbing lotion on your child's legs and arms, putting their robe in the dryer so it's warm for after their bath, calling ahead and asking the pizza place to arrange pepperoni on your pizza in a heart shape for when you come to eat, walking in the rain together, rolling down hills together, making confetti pancakes for breakfast (pancake mix with sprinkles, covered in frosting and more sprinkles), painting rocks together, walking along the beach and saying "I shore love you (there are lots of pun-related things to say here), and putting a sign in the yard saying Welcome Back for when they come home from school or a playdate.
Most of the activities are for younger kids, though there are some that will work for older ones. This is a faith-based book and there is a lot of talk about praying together and thanking God for various things, but it is not the main focus of the book. I appreciated that one of the chapters is on acts of service you can do together. Most of these are still very simple, like holding doors open for people or picking up litter. The book is basically a long checklist of suggestions, each about one short paragraph, with no illustrations. It will be a great way to think of some new ways to spend special time with your children and let them know they're loved.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
Most of the activities are for younger kids, though there are some that will work for older ones. This is a faith-based book and there is a lot of talk about praying together and thanking God for various things, but it is not the main focus of the book. I appreciated that one of the chapters is on acts of service you can do together. Most of these are still very simple, like holding doors open for people or picking up litter. The book is basically a long checklist of suggestions, each about one short paragraph, with no illustrations. It will be a great way to think of some new ways to spend special time with your children and let them know they're loved.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
November 2, 2020
Children will always remember those simple things more than big purchases. Julie has compiled an exhaustive list of ways to show
your child or grandchild how much you love them on a daily basis. A great gift book!
your child or grandchild how much you love them on a daily basis. A great gift book!
September 6, 2025
Yes, this is yet another book that I found free to listen to on Audible Plus that really isn't a good audiobook. It's meant to be a reference book. I enjoyed it and plan to get a copy. I loved a lot of the ideas. They were cute, sweet, and funny.
March 14, 2021
It's an okay book! But I could never be so cheesy - and honestly, I feel like about half of kids could never be so cheesy, either. :P For the other half, though, this is great.
October 14, 2020
Now that I've read 365 Ways To Love Your Child, I can't wait to get another one for my daughter and son-in-law! I know they'll appreciate the heartfelt tips for making mealtime, playtime and even running errands into fun opportunities--and best of all, ones that also help kids feel confident and loved. I know I'll be using many of the wonderful suggestions when the little ones visit for sleepovers and "grandma camp." This book shows that it doesn't take a lot of time, energy or money to experience special moments with your child or grandchild. Just leave the creativity to Julie Lavender...you add the kids!
October 5, 2020
This book is a must have for every family! Parents will find fun and easy ways to communicate love to their children. In a world filled with hate and bullying, this is a breath of fresh air.
December 18, 2020
A Cornucopia of Ideas for Every Parent
As parents, we have an immense love for our children. How do we show this love in practical ways which make a lasting impression? Award-winning author Julie Lavender answers this question with practical insights in the pages of 365 WAYS TO LOVE YOUR CHILD.
Short entries are grouped together into a dozen different situations such as outside, home, celebrating the seasons, or vacationing. Here’s a couple of examples from this book. When you are outside: “Watch a snail crawl. Look out for the shiny trail it leaves behnd! Pretend to be snails and move s-l-o-w-l-y! Say to your child, “Whether you’re slow or fast, I love you forever!” (page 20) Or if you are in your home: “Link pinkies and make silent wishes when you and your child speak a word or phrase at the same time.” (Page 30)
Whether you get this book for yourself or a gift for a parent, 365 WAYS TO LOVE YOUR CHILD is a book you can use over and over. As the subtitle says, “turning little moments into lasting memories.” This book was designed in a small size which is perfect to keep in your desk or purse for some quick inspiration. I highly recommend it.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his latest 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
As parents, we have an immense love for our children. How do we show this love in practical ways which make a lasting impression? Award-winning author Julie Lavender answers this question with practical insights in the pages of 365 WAYS TO LOVE YOUR CHILD.
Short entries are grouped together into a dozen different situations such as outside, home, celebrating the seasons, or vacationing. Here’s a couple of examples from this book. When you are outside: “Watch a snail crawl. Look out for the shiny trail it leaves behnd! Pretend to be snails and move s-l-o-w-l-y! Say to your child, “Whether you’re slow or fast, I love you forever!” (page 20) Or if you are in your home: “Link pinkies and make silent wishes when you and your child speak a word or phrase at the same time.” (Page 30)
Whether you get this book for yourself or a gift for a parent, 365 WAYS TO LOVE YOUR CHILD is a book you can use over and over. As the subtitle says, “turning little moments into lasting memories.” This book was designed in a small size which is perfect to keep in your desk or purse for some quick inspiration. I highly recommend it.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his latest 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
January 14, 2022
I got some ideas/nuggets throughout the book, but wouldn’t read again.
October 13, 2020
Julie Lavender has taken the brain work out of creative parenting (and grandparenting). I want to make lasting memories with my grandchildren, but sometimes I'm just not creative. Julie's book is an answer to my prayers. She supplies creative, memorable activities that are simple yet profound. One day, if my grandchildren say the precious words, "My grandmother always had the best ideas. I have so many happy memories of the times we spent at her house," I'll give Julie and her book at least half the credit :)
October 13, 2020
I love this book by Julie Lavender as she shares creative ways to love your children. She has divided the book into sections with tips under each section. I couldn't help but smile as some of her tips brought back sweet memories of things my mom and dad did with me when I was growing up. Her tips are practical and creative. Even if you don't have kids (like me), this is also relevant for those of us who are around children in any context (nieces and nephews, or at church). I highly recommend this book. Like the subtitle says, it will turn little moments into lasting memories.
October 13, 2020
This book is a must have for everyone with children or grandchildren. I bought a copy for our pregnant daughter-in-law and one for us. Can’t wait to get started making memories with our future grandchild
October 30, 2020
What a delightful book! Each page is filled with activities encouraging love, laughter and the opportunity to create precious memories. This is a great resource and great to give as a gift, too.
November 6, 2020
This book has lots of ideas of how to show love to your children and most of them are relatively inexpensive. The main goal is to spend time with your children in the everyday mundane and turn those days into memories. Most of the ideas are for younger kids but can be modified for any age kid.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion and review.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion and review.
October 28, 2020
I have five kids, and it's pretty easy to slip into patterns of doing the same things day in, day out parenting-wise. I love that the ideas in this book are simple and inexpensive ways to show them I love them without getting overwhelmed by complicated and pricey activities. I'd consider this a great rainy day resource too. Wonderful ideas for staving off boredom that love on your kids at the same time. Win-win!
January 25, 2021
365 Ways to Love Your Child by Julie Lavender is such a sweet book. It is all about LOVE which is perfect because Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. I think this faith based book would make an amazing Valentine’s Day gift for moms or to give to a new mom but this book is great for pretty much everyone with children or grandchildren.
After 2020, I know that I have been feeling kind of drained in the creativity department. Sometimes I feel like we are living in that movie, Groundhog’s Day. This book steps in where I am lacking though. It really is the perfect book for when you feel like your cup is running a little empty. It gives you some simple ideas that help to keep filling everyone else up without
This book is full of practical ways to show your child that you love that them each day. While the ideas are very practical and realistic they’re also fun and creative which I think is important. I know that moms don’t have a lot of time but she makes the ideas easy enough for us!
One of my favorite quotes from this book is, “I love you just the way you are!” I have been saying it to my kids so much lately. I think it is a simple thing to say but it has such a huge meaning. Who doesn’t want to make their children feel loved? It’s such a wonderful gift for your child and their self-esteem.
This is a great book to keep on your nightstand or coffee table.
After 2020, I know that I have been feeling kind of drained in the creativity department. Sometimes I feel like we are living in that movie, Groundhog’s Day. This book steps in where I am lacking though. It really is the perfect book for when you feel like your cup is running a little empty. It gives you some simple ideas that help to keep filling everyone else up without
This book is full of practical ways to show your child that you love that them each day. While the ideas are very practical and realistic they’re also fun and creative which I think is important. I know that moms don’t have a lot of time but she makes the ideas easy enough for us!
One of my favorite quotes from this book is, “I love you just the way you are!” I have been saying it to my kids so much lately. I think it is a simple thing to say but it has such a huge meaning. Who doesn’t want to make their children feel loved? It’s such a wonderful gift for your child and their self-esteem.
This is a great book to keep on your nightstand or coffee table.
December 3, 2020
What a wonderful, idea-filled book to help nurture and encourage kids all year long! This book is the "go to" book when you hear your kids say, "Mom,. I'm bored." It will provide you ways to turn that boredom into action that teaches loving things to do with your kids. Get a copy of this book and explore the fun ways you can show love to your child or grandchild.
December 5, 2020
I can't wait to share this book with my grandchildren to use with my precious great-grandchildren. I have eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. I love how practical and easy-to-execute the activities are that Julie Lavender includes in the book. The author encourages parents and grandparents to turn little moments into lasting memories, to be intentional about spending time with kids to make lifelong memories with kids that they'll treasure long after they are grown. The beauty of the activities is that the adults benefit just as much as they kids, because those same memories will be treasures for the adults, too. Trust me! As a much-older great grandma, I know just how fast time goes by and just how precious these sweet memories are!!! The book is broken into bullet points, in several chapters, which makes it easy to read a few excerpts at a time, and implement the activities whenever it's convenient. It's a must--have for anyone who cares for kids and would make great stocking stuffers, birthday gifts, or even treats for no special reason!!
October 20, 2020
I've read TONS of parenting books throughout my Mom years, but this one is truly unique. This book is FULL of creative, interactive, and truly meaningful ideas to SHOW your kiddos how much you love them.
The format is great too. I love the bullet pointed idea lists (because what mom has the time to indulge in a bunch of narrative when looking for practical information?) I can flip to a section like "... when we're running errands," and presto, I have instant access to dozens of ideas to show love to my children while we are on the run. Oh, and in case you're wondering--these are not your typical Google search ideas-for-a-rainy-day type lists. They are practical, unique, and FUN activities your kiddos will love.
I'm so glad this book released before Christmas. This will be a perfect gift I can give to my daughter AND my grandbabies at the same time.
The format is great too. I love the bullet pointed idea lists (because what mom has the time to indulge in a bunch of narrative when looking for practical information?) I can flip to a section like "... when we're running errands," and presto, I have instant access to dozens of ideas to show love to my children while we are on the run. Oh, and in case you're wondering--these are not your typical Google search ideas-for-a-rainy-day type lists. They are practical, unique, and FUN activities your kiddos will love.
I'm so glad this book released before Christmas. This will be a perfect gift I can give to my daughter AND my grandbabies at the same time.
October 31, 2020
What a treasure of a book! The subtitle of 365 Ways to Love Your Child is 'Turning Little Moments Into Lasting Memories.' This is exactly what this book will help you to do. Organized into twelve helpful sections, such as 'When We're Outside' or 'When We're Sharing Love Notes,' a few of my favorite ideas include:
Lie on a blanket on a clear night and look for constellations.
Turn off the television, computer, or phone and look at your child when they talk to you.
Learn to juggle as a family with simple household items.
Teach your child the joy of giving creative homemade gifts.
This wonderful book contains a plethora of lovely suggestions, ideas and activities that will let your child know how much you love them. What could possibly be more important or better than that?
Lie on a blanket on a clear night and look for constellations.
Turn off the television, computer, or phone and look at your child when they talk to you.
Learn to juggle as a family with simple household items.
Teach your child the joy of giving creative homemade gifts.
This wonderful book contains a plethora of lovely suggestions, ideas and activities that will let your child know how much you love them. What could possibly be more important or better than that?
March 27, 2021
Children and Grandchildren are a heritage of the Lord. Julie Lavender has it "Spot On!" She has shared her precious stories and given us creative ways to make our heritage rich and full of long-lasting memories! I've already ordered one for my daughter and daughter-in-law for Christmas. With new families of their own, I know they will reap a harvest from Julie's new book!
October 20, 2020
A perfect book that showcases all the little ways we sometimes forget can be used to experience love with our children.
365 Ways to Love Your Child is a book written for all parents. Within its pages, readers will find encouragement to show kids each and every day how loved they are. It doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture, sometimes it’s the simple things that mean the most. Write a letter to leave in their lunch box that says you are always thinking of them. Give them an extra hug, squeeze a little longer and a little tighter every chance you get. So many of the actions she gives as examples are so simple, I caught myself smiling and shaking my head as I read many of them thinking I should do those more often. In our world right now, we often find ourselves so busy even the smallest task added to our list can be overwhelming. When its those little tasks that can mean the most to our kids, and in turn leave a lasting impression on both them and us.
We only have a short amount of time with our children and if we don’t make the most of it, we will regret it. One thing the last few months of COVID and quarantine has taught me is to enjoy the time we have together. While things shut down and we had nowhere to go and nothing to do, playing games together and going for walks and bike rides became fun again. Eating together and talking about the day and all we had to be thankful was a nightly ritual and it didn’t go unnoticed by me or my family. Just telling someone you love them isn’t always enough, showing them by your actions and taking the time to do stuff together can often mean more than just saying the words. Lavender does a fantastic job of pointing out all the little things we forget can mean showing love to our kids. Something as simple as putting your phone away and looking them in the eye. In the world we live in that is very rare and I think it is time we start doing more to show our kids they are more important than an electronic device to us, because when they get the electronics we know that is where there attention will be focused just as ours can tend to be. I would recommend that all parents pick up a copy of this book and highlight certain sections that are most relevant to them and can be best implemented in their daily lives together.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
365 Ways to Love Your Child is a book written for all parents. Within its pages, readers will find encouragement to show kids each and every day how loved they are. It doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture, sometimes it’s the simple things that mean the most. Write a letter to leave in their lunch box that says you are always thinking of them. Give them an extra hug, squeeze a little longer and a little tighter every chance you get. So many of the actions she gives as examples are so simple, I caught myself smiling and shaking my head as I read many of them thinking I should do those more often. In our world right now, we often find ourselves so busy even the smallest task added to our list can be overwhelming. When its those little tasks that can mean the most to our kids, and in turn leave a lasting impression on both them and us.
We only have a short amount of time with our children and if we don’t make the most of it, we will regret it. One thing the last few months of COVID and quarantine has taught me is to enjoy the time we have together. While things shut down and we had nowhere to go and nothing to do, playing games together and going for walks and bike rides became fun again. Eating together and talking about the day and all we had to be thankful was a nightly ritual and it didn’t go unnoticed by me or my family. Just telling someone you love them isn’t always enough, showing them by your actions and taking the time to do stuff together can often mean more than just saying the words. Lavender does a fantastic job of pointing out all the little things we forget can mean showing love to our kids. Something as simple as putting your phone away and looking them in the eye. In the world we live in that is very rare and I think it is time we start doing more to show our kids they are more important than an electronic device to us, because when they get the electronics we know that is where there attention will be focused just as ours can tend to be. I would recommend that all parents pick up a copy of this book and highlight certain sections that are most relevant to them and can be best implemented in their daily lives together.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
December 6, 2020
When this book came in the mail, I wasn't even the first one to see it. My 5 children all tried to pounce on it. As they looked through it, they started picking out the ideas and activities they wanted to do with me. That's when I knew this book was a winner!
This is an excellent resource for busy parents who need clear, practical ways to love and engage with their children. I am a practical kind of person who likes to take action on things that are important. However, I often find myself too tired to be creative in what I do with my children. Julie Lavender has fixed that problem for me. She takes the work out of being creative!
I love that Lavender has included ideas and activities that are appropriate for a wide range of children. Whether your child is 2 or 18, you will find ideas for creatively loving them. I also appreciate that almost all of the ideas are simple and easy to incorporate into our lives. With the schedules most of us keep these days, we need a quick resource to assist us in being better, more loving parents. This book does exactly that!
I love the organization of this book. She divides it into activities to do in various places or during various times. For example, there are "ways to love your child" while you are outside, in the kitchen, running errands, serving others, and many more. The bulleted ideas in each chapter make it convenient to quickly pick out an activity to do or an idea to incorporate into an already planned activity.
My favorite chapter is about loving your child while celebrating the seasons. Lavender has thoughtfully compiled exciting and creative ways to have fun with your children while taking advantage of weather, foods, and opportunities that coincide with specific seasons. I have already tried a few of these ideas and can't wait to try more!
This is an excellent resource for busy parents who need clear, practical ways to love and engage with their children. I am a practical kind of person who likes to take action on things that are important. However, I often find myself too tired to be creative in what I do with my children. Julie Lavender has fixed that problem for me. She takes the work out of being creative!
I love that Lavender has included ideas and activities that are appropriate for a wide range of children. Whether your child is 2 or 18, you will find ideas for creatively loving them. I also appreciate that almost all of the ideas are simple and easy to incorporate into our lives. With the schedules most of us keep these days, we need a quick resource to assist us in being better, more loving parents. This book does exactly that!
I love the organization of this book. She divides it into activities to do in various places or during various times. For example, there are "ways to love your child" while you are outside, in the kitchen, running errands, serving others, and many more. The bulleted ideas in each chapter make it convenient to quickly pick out an activity to do or an idea to incorporate into an already planned activity.
My favorite chapter is about loving your child while celebrating the seasons. Lavender has thoughtfully compiled exciting and creative ways to have fun with your children while taking advantage of weather, foods, and opportunities that coincide with specific seasons. I have already tried a few of these ideas and can't wait to try more!
January 26, 2021
This delightful book is a fun guide to creating some intentional moments between a parent or guardian and a child. Every child deserves to know just how much they are loved by both their family, caretakers and our Heavenly Father. What better way to feed into their innocence and youth, then expressing what deep and true love is by demonstrating it daily!
With quick reference sections like “when we’re in the kitchen” or “when we’re reading and playing”, author Julie Lavendar, breaks down this book with ideas to kickstart your creativity while sharing ways to express love and affirmations to your child. She makes it easy for parents to see how simple it is to use a daily activity like running errands to be intentional with your time and create meaningful gestures to express love. There were so many ideas that made me smile; I know I’ll be referencing this book for years to come! I even highlighted some I want to use with my daughter this week.
As I was reading, I thought what a great book this is for foster or adoptive parents who want to extend their outreach and find new, creative ways to express love to children who are coming into their homes.
One of my favorite features of this book is that some of the noted ways to express love for your child included sharing God’s Word and love with them in an easy-to-understand, love-in-action way! The ideas listed throughout the book are simple, sweet and meaningful. Overall, I highly recommend 365 Ways to Love Your Child!
*I voluntarily received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Revell at Baker Publishing Group via NetGalley. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
With quick reference sections like “when we’re in the kitchen” or “when we’re reading and playing”, author Julie Lavendar, breaks down this book with ideas to kickstart your creativity while sharing ways to express love and affirmations to your child. She makes it easy for parents to see how simple it is to use a daily activity like running errands to be intentional with your time and create meaningful gestures to express love. There were so many ideas that made me smile; I know I’ll be referencing this book for years to come! I even highlighted some I want to use with my daughter this week.
As I was reading, I thought what a great book this is for foster or adoptive parents who want to extend their outreach and find new, creative ways to express love to children who are coming into their homes.
One of my favorite features of this book is that some of the noted ways to express love for your child included sharing God’s Word and love with them in an easy-to-understand, love-in-action way! The ideas listed throughout the book are simple, sweet and meaningful. Overall, I highly recommend 365 Ways to Love Your Child!
*I voluntarily received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Revell at Baker Publishing Group via NetGalley. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
December 10, 2020
Have you ever wished you could go to just one source to find different daily activities to do with the littles in your life? Have you ever wished you had something like that for each of the 365 days in the year? Look no further for Julie Lavender has compiled that very source, 365 Ways to Show Love to Your Child. Yes, 365 different ways to show the littles, or not-so-littles in your life just how much you love them. Some of the ideas you may have done, but there are many, many more that you will not have thought of. There are ideas for outdoors, indoors, walks, running errands, for the different seasons. So many ideas, you have enough to fill an entire year without repeating a single one. Or, do a whole bunch in one day and then start over. Wow! Fun times. Now, what could be better than that? I’ll tell you … having all of those ideas and activities in this one little book. I reared four boys and we managed to do a lot of things in all those years. By the time the last one flew our nest, I’d been parenting for thirty-one years without stopping. Now, that’s a lot of activities. This book has ideas I’d never thought of. It’s such a gem. Thanks to Mrs. Lavender, I get to share these fun ideas with my grandkids. You are going to LOVE this book. I promise. And oh, the memories to be made!
May 6, 2021
Lavender’s goal with this book is clear: to show children tangible expressions of love and in doing so, help them see “the unfathomable love of our heavenly Father.” Although I’m not a parent yet, I am a school teacher and an aunt, so I can appreciate how important communicating love and appreciation is to children.
The book is organized into twelve sections by location, such as “when we’re outside” and “when we’re in the kitchen.” Lavender shares practical, creative, and fun ways to show children we care on a daily basis in the ordinary acts of life. One of them made me smile: “Exercise together.” I remember when I was growing up that my parents and us kids would walk the dog together, and neighbors would often remark, “The family that walks together stays together.” There might be some truth in that!
Even if you’re not a parent, this book makes a great gift for friends with kids or foster families. I’ve already given away one copy and hope to do so again.
The book is organized into twelve sections by location, such as “when we’re outside” and “when we’re in the kitchen.” Lavender shares practical, creative, and fun ways to show children we care on a daily basis in the ordinary acts of life. One of them made me smile: “Exercise together.” I remember when I was growing up that my parents and us kids would walk the dog together, and neighbors would often remark, “The family that walks together stays together.” There might be some truth in that!
Even if you’re not a parent, this book makes a great gift for friends with kids or foster families. I’ve already given away one copy and hope to do so again.
November 19, 2020
I love this book! Planning to re-read it so I can take more of the ideas to heart over the next few weeks.
Upon first glance, parents might think that 365 Ways to Love Your Child is designed for parents of small children. While it's true that many of the ideas are suited for young ones, there are so many great suggestions that can be adapted for older kids. Some of them are really best for older kids (tweens and teens). For example, how many parents teach their kids how to mail a letter?
Most of the ideas are completely free, easy to do, yet the tiny bit of extra effort it takes can go a LONG way with kids. With so many families staying at home during these long pandemic days, this book can be a real inspiration for busy parents.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy! Opinions shared are mine.
Upon first glance, parents might think that 365 Ways to Love Your Child is designed for parents of small children. While it's true that many of the ideas are suited for young ones, there are so many great suggestions that can be adapted for older kids. Some of them are really best for older kids (tweens and teens). For example, how many parents teach their kids how to mail a letter?
Most of the ideas are completely free, easy to do, yet the tiny bit of extra effort it takes can go a LONG way with kids. With so many families staying at home during these long pandemic days, this book can be a real inspiration for busy parents.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy! Opinions shared are mine.
December 5, 2020
In today's culture, it is so easy to get 'too busy' to slow down and be intentionally present with our children. This creates a chasm in the relationship between parents and children. They feel unloved and as parents we feel rushed, hurried, and never good enough. In Julie Lavender's book, 365 Ways to Love Your Child, we are reminded that the moments don't have to be big and daunting - rather parents can express their love to children by intentionally having even the smallest of moments with their children. Julie's practicality, creativeness, and wisdom gives me the insights to begin loving my child where we are at in any moment and stokes the fires for me to find ways to intentionally use the small moments to love on my children. As a side not, I LOVE the organization of this book - a quick referenced book to finding ideas of how to love them in everyday activities.
October 29, 2020
Julie has not only written a book with ideas that will touch a child's heart and show them they are loved but also anyone who takes the time to show a child they are special whether that is parents, grandparents, teachers or childcare workers. Each and every one of her ideas and vivid descriptions on how to make this extra time with our children is heartfelt and will create special memories for the child as well as the adult. It's important to slow down and teach our children to notice the world around them, have fun and learn in wonder and experience all of this with someone who loves them. Julie has shown us how. This book is a must read and should be in every parent and grandparents' home, in every homeschool and on every desk of a teacher who teaches young children.
October 30, 2020
365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories by Julie Lavender is such a special book, and it is one that I will refer to on a regular basis. Lavender has written a book that can be used by parents, grandparents, or anyone who spends time with a child. It is full of creative, free and low cost activities and gestures that will show a child that they are loved. It will help you create special memories for the child in your life with little more than your presence and things you probably already have on hand. When you pick up a copy for yourself, make sure you pick up extra copies for the new parents and grandparents that you know. They will thank you for it. I highly recommend this book.
April 28, 2021
This book is wonderful. My boys are grown, so reading all these marvelous, creative ideas really made me miss my time with my own children.
But it occurred to me that many of the ideas in this book would be great for grandparents - I envisioned myself doing some of these things with my granddaughter. “Cool” aunts and uncles, those who volunteer as Big Brothers and Sisters - even day/child care centers and elementary school teachers - could use many of the activities in this book.
Do not be put off, either, that this is a "Christian" book. Even if you don’t want to foster a love for God in your child, this book is a powerful self-esteem-building tool. It will help you give your child the greatest of gift of all: the gift of your time.
Melissa Lea Leedom, Author
To Forgive, Divine
But it occurred to me that many of the ideas in this book would be great for grandparents - I envisioned myself doing some of these things with my granddaughter. “Cool” aunts and uncles, those who volunteer as Big Brothers and Sisters - even day/child care centers and elementary school teachers - could use many of the activities in this book.
Do not be put off, either, that this is a "Christian" book. Even if you don’t want to foster a love for God in your child, this book is a powerful self-esteem-building tool. It will help you give your child the greatest of gift of all: the gift of your time.
Melissa Lea Leedom, Author
To Forgive, Divine
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