The Back Scratch Chronicles: A Parenting Tip for Building Bonds

Hey there, fellow parents! As a proud parent of three amazing adult kids, I've learned that the adventure of raising little humans is filled with both dreaded challenges and rewarding motivation. Today, I want to share a simple parenting tip that’s brought us closer and made learning a lot more fun!

When my oldest was just a tiny tornado at two years old, he was super smart—a total knowledge sponge! But with his ADHD, sitting still was all but impossible. I was eager to share my wisdom, but my little guy seemed to dodge everything I tried to teach him!

One day, after a little chat with the Creator of the universe (aka prayer), I had a lightbulb moment: what if I tried a gentle back scratch? Now, I grew up in a home where physical touch was a generationally absent, so this idea felt crazy unnatural (almost wrong), but I decided to give it a shot. To my surprise, he loved it! The soothing back scratch calmed his busy brain just enough for him to focus on tracing letters and numbers.

Of course, I had to sprinkle in some quick races to the front door to keep things lively, but hey, I had found my secret weapon! Soon enough, the back scratch became a family favorite. During church, I’d scratch their backs to keep them zen, and guess what? It totally worked!

Fast forward to today: my youngest is now 12, and during sermons, he still gives me that adorable “back scratch, please” signal. It’s pure magic! And my teens? They still request back or head scratches most every night. What a fun way to stay connected and show them I’m available, especially when life gets a little chaotic!

Plus, here’s the cherry on top: I can use these back scratches as gentle encouragement for homework! “Sure, I’ll scratch your back, but only if you’re moving that pencil!” I’ve heard many parents lament about the distance that can grow between them and their older kids. Trust me, I totally get it and often pray for ways to bridge that gap.

This back scratch tradition has offered doors to emotional connections I wish I’d fostered earlier. I may not have had a role model for this kind of parenting, but I found my own path to offer

connections open on my end.

So, what do you think? Will you jump on the back scratch bandwagon with me? The perks of physical touch are fantastic for building trust and bonding. Who knows? This might just become your family’s next beloved tradition!

Let’s cherish those priceless moments that bring us closer, reminding our kiddos that we’re always here, ready to sprinkle a little love and care when they need it most!