I'm delivering an NVR group at the moment and this morning we were thinking about increasing our presence (in their minds and hearts) through loving gestures - communicating to our children that we're thinking of them, they're important to us, we love them, and they can rely on our love and care regardless of their behaviour and regardless of problems between us.
Lots of us become exhausted parenting for our children who have high needs and who might display really extreme behaviour. Enjoying spending time together might just not be realistic right now.
I think this wonderful cartoon captures the power of offering connection even when we’d rather be doing something else and even when we've got nothing to give.
Please remember that giving our children what they need must be balanced with giving ourselves what we need. Remember that we’re in this for the long haul - parenting is a marathon and not a sprint - and that's without bring trauma and other needs into the mix.