A nurturing touch is important in raising children

"And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."

-- Mark 10:16 (NIV)

My son stopped by to visit. As he was getting ready to leave and placed his hand on the door knob, I stopped him.

"Wait a minute--Let me give you a hug." I gently said.

Being over 6 feet tall, my son bent down for a brief second while I embraced his neck and gave him a quick motherly hug.

Most parents can identify with the fact that no matter how old our children become, we still enjoy engaging in loving activity such as hugs.

There use to be a popular bumper sticker that read: "Have you hugged your kids today?" This question may seem silly to some who are prone to giving loving gestures to their loved ones on a regular basis.

But in today's busy lifestyle, parents are juggling multiple tasks. Cell phones are ringing everywhere they go, causing parents to engage in conversations in places they wouldn't have before, and the job of chauffeuring children to multiple activities can leave parents depleted of energy and time. The feeling of always hurrying and rushing everywhere can cause a distraction to even remember to engage in such a small loving act as hugging their children.

As a nurse, I learned that statistics taken by experts in the field of child growth and development proved that babies deprived of nurturing touches failed to desire to live. Many wouldn't eat and some died. Others became isolated and uncaring individuals. This proves passing on our love through touch is an important aspect of parenting.

I think of how the disciples questioned Jesus about taking time out to address the children's needs. They wondered why would Jesus stop and minister to them?

Jesus explained the children had great faith and were important to God. His example to embrace them was an example for us to do the same. By this act, he was expressing the importance of showing love to shape children's lives. Molding children into loving adults consists of many things. But we must not forget the importance of a nurturing touch.

Before sending your kids to bed each night, you might get into the routine of asking yourself, "Have I hugged my kids today?"