Forehead Kiss

Some small children have rituals to allow them to go to bed: bed time stories, bath times, maybe a special blanket of stuffed animal. My fourteen year old still has one ritual which I will saddly miss when it ends. Every evening before she goes to bed, I still have to give her a forehead kiss. This simple act can mean forgiveness for a difficult teen / mom day. It can be the affirmation of a day of working together. It can be the symbol of solidarity when times are tough. Just because our kids grow up we should not stop these simple, perhaps childish forms of affection. If you don't have a ritual, maybe it is time you make one up.