Although these gestures may seem unimportant to adults, little ones will certainly appreciate them. Here are a few simple tips to put a smile on your child’s face.
- Wear that macaroni necklace to work. Well, at least until you’re safely out the door.
- Stick a family mantra or slogan (Invincible! We can handle anything!) on the fridge door and call it out with your child if he feels discouraged.
- Go for a walk with just one of your children.
- Put a note (and the occasional piece of chocolate) in their bread bin.
- Build a Minecraft world together.
- Say ‘yes’ to something that is not normally allowed, like sitting on the kitchen counter.

- Be as enthusiastic in amusement parks as they are.
- If you argue in front of your child, make sure they are there when you make up for it.
- If their room looks like a whirlwind has roared through it, close the bedroom door and get on with your day.
- Skype or FaceTime occasionally with Grandma.
- If your child has really tried his best, but still feels miserable and anxious, and really, really wants to stop playing football, hockey or any other hobby, give him permission,
- Have your four-year-old stomp into every puddle. Even without rain boots.

- Take out the glitter glue and make a birthday card for your child.
- Adopt a pet that needs a home – and your child’s love.
- Give your toddler a chance to solve his or her own problems in the sandbox or on the playground before you intervene.
- Postpone the how-was-at-your-school questions if your child comes home grumpy and tired. You can always try again during dinner.
- Develop your own rituals and traditions: tacos every Tuesday, cycling on Sunday afternoons, picking apples in autumn.

- For a change, ask your child how to do something. Once you’ve mastered it, tell him he’s a good teacher.
- Have your child wear clothes to the supermarket. All month if he wants.
- Make sure your child ‘happens to’ listen in when you say something sweet about him.
- Stay up late to watch the full moon together.
- Print children’s photos so that they will have a physical memento of their childhood later.

- Don’t ask your child to let go too quickly. Everyone needs an outlet once in a while.
- Bake heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast.
- Turn on the music halfway through a homework session and have a dance party.
- Think up a secret family handprint together.
- Hang a chalkboard in their room to leave messages for each other.
- Start a pillow fight.
- Share your old diaries, photos and letters from your own childhood with your child.
- Thank your child when he does a job on his own, even if it’s small, such as hanging up a wet towel or refilling a water jug uninvited.
If you implement these 30 things, your child surely will remember you as a good and fun parent.