I’ve known a few families with secret signals or gestures that only meant something to their family. I think having family signals and codes is great fun, and a great way to foster family unity.
I had a friend in high school whose family had a secret signal for needing to go the bathroom. They would raise their fist to their chin, their thumb touching their lips. This came in a lot handier than you might think. Picture being in the audience somewhere, instead of a child whispering, “I have to go to the bathroom” and someone else whispering back, “What?” and the child having to repeat that they need to go to the bathroom – they can let people know with no disruptions whatsoever. Or if you are talking to other adults, the child can let you know their needs without interrupting.
Another friend’s family did the sign language for “I love you”. The middle and ring finger are folded down, and the thumb, pointer and little finger are pointed up. That’s a little more heart warming than the bathroom sign, but I tell you the bathroom sign comes in really handy.
There are a whole lot of special signs you can use. A touch to the nose might mean we need to go soon. Drawing an “X” or three taps on the shoulder or three squeezes on the hand might mean “I love you”. A lot of middle school children would cringe in embarrassment if their mother yelled out that she loves them in front of their classmates. But a touch to the nose, or a tap on the shoulder would be fine, and might even start their school day off with a warm reassurance that they are loved.
Those of you who are forty or older might remember the Carol Burnett show, and how she always ended her show by pulling on her earlobe. It became her trademark, but it started as a simple secret message to her family that she loved them and was thinking of them.
I’d love to hear about other families secret signals. If you have one you don’t mind sharing, I’m sure others would love to know too.
More Ideas:
14 Ways to Show Your Kids You Love Them