The practice of appropriate physical touch by parents toward their children has greatly declined in recent decades.

The practice of appropriate physical touch by parents toward their children has greatly declined in recent decades. Reasons for this abound- busyness, parents’ parents didn’t do it, public awareness of child abuse and the fear of being falsely accused. Nevertheless, physical touch of children is important. It is designed by God to be needed.
Before birth we were literally surrounded by our mothers. If she nursed us, we were often held in her arms during the early years. All this brought a certain security that gradually diminished as we grew older.
Some years ago a book hit the top charts in Christian parenting entitled, How To Really Love Your Children. Though largely a psychology book containing little Bible, one thing from it stuck with me. The author, Dr. Ross Campbell, stated that a child has an emotional tank with a slow leak. When it is empty, the child simply needs a hug to get it refilled. We have all heard the death cries of an injured child, only to see a hug from mom or dad perform miraculous healing. Some children need it and will seek it; others need it and won’t. But all of them need physical touch.
At birth, premature twins were placed in separate bassinettes. One responded to nourishment and gained weight. The other refused it and was slowly dying. In desperation, one nurse transferred the pining child into the bassinette, touching her sister. The change was dramatic and transforming. The physical touch brought her to life.
Apart from logic, illustration, and psychology, notice that the Lord Himself practiced physical touch with children. Following a discussion by the disciples about who was the greatest, Jesus responded, “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” (Mark 9:35-37)
The disciples obviously didn’t get the message. “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased (Gr. great indignation), and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16)
Perhaps your parents didn’t practice appropriate physical touch with you. Change the pattern to that of Jesus. Take each of your own children in your arms and bless them, often.