Have some fun with your children and at the same time reinforce positive thoughts that you are having about your child.

Children thrive on reassurance and combined with the element of surprise, they feel quite excited and anticipate what is next. It becomes a very pleasant game of reassurance. In a child's bedroom, for example, write little affirming messages and scatter them in different places - under the pillow could be a message, "you have such a great smile.” Perhaps in their kitchen mug the words "thanks for helping me today.”

The messages can be put in a variety of spaces around the house and of course can change to suit the occasion. A surprise note in the school lunch box or school bag is a wonderful warm and reassuring feeling for a child during the school day. The fact that there is a written statement about a positive aspect of the child, builds their sense of self worth and reminds them that they are valued. Some children may keep the notes and paste them in a book which is handy to read from time to time. Children will often write loving notes to parents and this is our way of doing the same.

I often bring a child into my office and together we guess where I have left my note! No surprises that they find it very fast!