The February issue of Family Circle magazine has an interesting article about how to cope when  growing tweens/teens rebuffs their parents' hugs and kisses. It's natural for kids to become more physically distant as their bodies grow and change and as they seek to become more independent, the article says. And while it is a phase the kids will eventually outgrow, there are alternative ways to stay close now, the article says. Among the suggestions: blowing kisses, playing physical games like touch football, giving them a shoulder rub or back scratch when they're on the computer.

My boys have different levels of tolerance for open affection. Ironically, the 12-year-old is more likely to give me a hug in public than the 7-year-old. This past weekend, however, I found a way of getting close that they both seemed to like or at least not mind. The article suggested sitting next to your kids on the sofa as you watch a favorite TV show. Sunday we sat together watching the Steelers and Ravens play, and both boys tolerated my touches and hugs as they cheered on the players.

Do you have other strategies for keeping kids close? As a mom of boys, I know just one side of the story. Do those of you with girls find it harder or easier to give your growing tween a hug?