One of the best parts of being a mum, for me, has been the never-ending supply of cuddles. You can never go past a good hug can you? Having your arms wrapped around someone else and their's around you cant help but make you feel safe and secure, and most of all loved. And what better feeling is there than that?
I don't remember getting much affection as a child so I made a decision long before I had kids that I'd be a really affectionate mum. When she was a baby I snuggled her as much as I could - babies seem to have that affect on people don't they? She used to sleep on me a lot during the day because it was where she was most content. Lots of people told me I was spoiling her and creating bad habits, but I didn't care. Personally I don't think you can spoil a baby, especially with love.
I don't think its had a negative effect at all. She's turned into a super affectionate toddler who loves her mummy {and daddy} cuddles. She constantly asks us for tuddles. In fact she's asked for about ten tuddles while I've been writing this already. Apart from making some things take longer because I have to stop and cuddle her, I don't think its a bad thing. And contrary to what people said, she's perfectly capable of sleeping by herself.
To be honest our cuddles benefit me just as much as they do her. Each time we cuddle I feel like I'm making up for what I missed out on as a child. I feel like by creating a strong bond with her I'm creating the relationship I always wanted with my own mum. I'm healing my heart piece by piece each time we hug. You're never too old for a hug.
Do you love a good hug too?
Toni x
I don't think its had a negative effect at all. She's turned into a super affectionate toddler who loves her mummy {and daddy} cuddles. She constantly asks us for tuddles. In fact she's asked for about ten tuddles while I've been writing this already. Apart from making some things take longer because I have to stop and cuddle her, I don't think its a bad thing. And contrary to what people said, she's perfectly capable of sleeping by herself.
To be honest our cuddles benefit me just as much as they do her. Each time we cuddle I feel like I'm making up for what I missed out on as a child. I feel like by creating a strong bond with her I'm creating the relationship I always wanted with my own mum. I'm healing my heart piece by piece each time we hug. You're never too old for a hug.
Do you love a good hug too?
Toni x
I LOVE LOVE LOVE cuddles with my boys! They are super affectionate and loving as a result and they love the cuddles just as much as me :)
ReplyDeleteCuddles are the best!
DeleteGorgeous photos and I totally had a awwww moment when I read this post. Yes, you never can be too old for hugs!
ReplyDeleteHugs are awesome. I'm still going to hug her when she's my age :)
DeleteI love cuddles with my girls, so precious and I am going to take them for as long as I can get them. My littlest used to say 'duddles' for daddy cuddles - too cute!
ReplyDeleteI love how they pronounce their words when they're so little its too cute!
DeleteLove the cuddles with my girls too, some times I do wish they wouldn't start quite so early in the morning but it is a precious start to the day x
ReplyDeleteYep I wish that too, but I can't really stay annoyed for too long when she's hugging and kissing me even when it is 6am and I want to be asleep. Although I'm looking forward to the teenage years when they say you have to force them to get out of bed, just so I can have a sleep in!
DeleteMy boys love to cuddle, I think its so nice .. even my 10 year old still likes a hug, I hope it makes the kids feel safe and secure.
ReplyDeleteI hope she still wants cuddles at 10. I think it does make them feel safe and secure, it still does for me even as an adult and that's what I felt I was missing as a kid.
DeleteAll my 3 leap in to bed with me and I squeeze as hard as I can - the best ones are those that I don't ask for! x
ReplyDeleteSo true, I LOVE that she is always offering up cuddles unsolicited.
DeleteToni, this was lovely. I am so glad you're getting the cuddles now. It's awful to think of a childhood without them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree, there is no such thing as spoiling a baby. It's such an old-fashioned way of thinking and actually pretty sad. How many babies have missed out on that crucial contact with their mums (and dads) because of misguided advice? I held my babies ALL THE TIME. They're confident and independent kids now. Job done.
Yep I have no regrets about cuddling her all the time or letting her have day naps with me or on me. She has no trouble sleeping by herself for day naps or at night time now, but apparently I was creating bad habits etc etc Blah to that, it worked out fine and she knows exactly how much she's loved.
DeleteI remember my mum saying I was spoiling Dora with all the affection and attention I was giving her when she was teeny. I agree, you can't spoil a child with love. Cuddles are the best and Moo is just starting to offer them instead of me stealing them all the time. :)
ReplyDeleteIts so great when they offer them isn't it? Makes me feel like I've been doing it right :)
DeleteMy heart melts when I read your article, Toni. I know exactly how you feel being a child deprived from warm hugs. You're a good mom because you take it positively and learn from your past. Your baby is a sweet angel. She deserves a thousand cuddles, and so as you.
ReplyDeleteShe gets a thousand cuddles x
DeleteLooooove a good cuddle and so do all three of my kids (and the husbie too). I don't think we are EVER too old for family snugs. x
ReplyDeleteI don't think so either although most of the adults in my family don't seem to be fond of them. I break the mould I think.
DeleteToni what a beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteCuddles are a must in our house too. I read somewhere that the best hug you can give is one that lasts for at least 30 seconds (you really get to feel it) and I truly believe this, one of the best things I've read.
You keep enjoying those cuddles for as long as possible, hugs are priceless!
Have a beautiful Sunday xx
Long hugs are the best!
DeleteI am such a complete sucker for hugs and I am so glad that my boys are all huggers. Even the 14 year old still likes to get in on the snuggles action and I for one hope those hugs never stop xx
ReplyDeleteI hope she still wants hugs at 14.
DeleteI love cuddling my kids. I also love holding them whilst they sleep {even if people say that it's the wrong thing to do}.
ReplyDeleteI loved rocking her to sleep and letting her sleep on me. Still love it when she's sick and sleeps in our bed too :)
DeleteYay for tuddles!! My kids call them 'cuggles', it's too cute! I think of cuddles as my lifeblood, I need them to get through the day :).
ReplyDelete#TeamMM
I need them to get through the day too :)
DeleteI LOVE cuddles. The girls give the best cuddles and they give them freely. I love it when they just walk up to me out of the blue and throw their arms around me, it's t he best part of being a Mum, second only to when they say they love you :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely :)
DeleteLove cuddles with my kids! I figure get them while you can, before they turn in to moody teenagers that only grunt responses!
ReplyDeleteYep who knows what she'll be like as a teenager, I'm happy to take advantage of the cuddly toddler stage as long as possible.
DeleteToni this is such a beautiful post. I'm a hug-aholic! seriously love my hugs and cuddles and I'm lucky also my boys are super affectionate but that's because I another them always. I'm glad your healing slowly through being such a fantastic mummy. xxx
ReplyDeleteI don't think she really had any choice, she was always going to get hugged. I love that she always asks me for them now though. Makes me so happy that she wants to cuddle me as much as I want to cuddle her.
Delete