Best for ALL AGES, infant+
When ever you have a chance, pull your family in for a group hug. Start with the infants and pull together as a unit. Try to put your arms over each others shoulders and face each other like you have a secret plan to share.
Not only do these create laughter and stress relief for your family, but they are a great tradition to start early to teach togetherness.
Include you pets if they are close.
Then, make a “football play”, or a plan for something. For example, make a “play” for dinner, or cleaning, or homework. While hugging each other into a circle, give each team player a job to do.
“Ok, YOU go water the plants! YOU, go feed the dog! YOU, get the mail and YOU, take out the trash. Ready, break!”
Then, go try your plan.
This is a perfect time & place to practice “positive talk” towards each other. In this close hug, NO SCOLDING IS ALLOWED, only happy attitudes. Focus on the good of each person.
Group Hugs Are Important In The Tween & Teen Years
Practice group hugs when your kids are younger. Getting some touching in with your teens is tough sometimes. However, group hugs can break the ice and get them over a current drama by touching and being touched.
“The plan” will not be cool enough in “the Age of Cool” time period, but the physical contact and playful laughter is still very fun and important. These circles of hugs can often lead to one on one hugs with your teens, which can be EXTREMELY stress relieving for the entire family.
When two family members are fighting or haven’t spoken in a while, the other family members are also affected. Group hugs are a positive possibility to get through this time.
Your kids might encourage a family group hug when the parents are arguing, and I strongly suggest that you take their advice!
Allow a family group hug to work when the adults are arguing, and years later, your teen might take your lead and allow it to work for them.
Instead of a plan, in the teen years you can say things like, “you, great job on your test yesterday, and you, I love your outfit today! You, thanks for the high five this morning, and you, I appreciate your smile today!”
