By Sarah Chana Radcliffe
Are you teaching your child to be comfortable or uncomfortable with physical touch? Everybody touches, hugs and pats their infant. Almost everyone cuddles their toddler and preschool child. However, not everyone continues to caress, hug and touch their school-aged child. Some people are just not so "touchy-feely." The problem is that failure to "keep in touch" with one's child physically can cause the child to have difficulty connecting physically to others later on - to a spouse and to his or her own child. Loving touch conveys warmth and affection and it provides deep security and healing. It has the ability to nurture every person at every age. However, those who don't receive enough parental touch during childhood, may be unable to fully give OR receive touch in adulthood - despite the natural need for it. Even if you yourself are not "good at" touching, offer as much regular physical contact as you can to your child - a pat on the back, ruffling of the hair, a bit of hand or foot reflexology/massage - whatever you can do in whatever way you can do it.
