Working Families Use Infant Massage to Reconnect

by Tina Allen, LMT, CPMMT, CPMT, CIMT
Updated Jan 2010

1950s Ideals of Families - Reversal of Roles

In today’s world economy we often find that most parents are working outside of the home. This may mean a two parent home has both parents working outside of the home to keep their bills paid and food on the table. This may also mean that we see a reversal of roles, as compared to our 1950s ideals of families, where a father may stay at home with the children while the mother works outside of the home. In any case, we find that the children are missing out on valuable nurturing and bonding time with their parents. 
 

Exhausted or in a Bad Mood because of that Nasty Co-Worker? - Don’t Bring it Home!

While it is essential that parents work to support their families, it is also essential that parents find ways to connect and bond with their children. To support children, show them they are loved and provide care and attention. Yes, when you come home from work in the evening, exhausted or in a bad mood because of that nasty co-worker, this may seem like one more thing to do that you just can’t find the time for. But, it is imperative that you spend time with children, even if it means that you have to skip washing the dishes or folding the laundry. Those things can wait, children cannot.

Infant Massage can help even You to Relax

So, what do you do to spend this essential time with your children? Well, if you have a baby or very young child, infant massage can be the perfect nurturing and bonding activity. This massage can be a quite time, stand-alone activity or can even be done while you are providing the essential care you would be anyway. Such as changing a diaper or giving a bath.

During these times take a few extra moments to speak lovingly with your baby, make eye contact, and provide nurturing strokes on her legs and arms. Maybe just before or at bedtime, provide some long soothing strokes down her back.  Not only will the massage help you both to connect, it will also help you both to relax due to the increase of Oxytocin (relaxing and nurturing hormone) in both yourself and your baby.

Be Sure to not Leave the Older Child out of these Very Special Moments of Bonding

If you have an older child, a toddler or school age child, try reading a story together. During the story you can use your hands to draw the pictures or characters on his back. Allow your child to help make up the story so that he can participate in suggesting the types of nurturing touch he may wish to feel. This simple activity can take just minutes or you may find it spreads out across a greater portion of the evening. In any case, together you’ll spend valuable time and share in very special moments that cannot be replaced. 

Children Who Lack Nurturing Touch could Suffer Horrible Consequences

Children need nurturing touch to thrive in all aspects of life, socially, academically and cognitively. Without an appropriate amount of nurturing touch in their daily lives children suffer horrible consequences, feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, lack of confidence and social skills. Find a few moments each evening to reconnect with your children through massage and nurturing touch.

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