When your child asks for a hug, wait for their answer.

When you're teaching your child about consent, sometimes you still feel like giving them a big hug first.

Scenes

I'm so glad you're home—I want to hug you. — When you see your child come home, your arms open before you know it. But your child takes a step back, still wearing their backpack.
The adult stops when the child says “no” — When the child says they don't want a hug, the adult lowers their arms and waits. That's one way children see consent in action.
Consent takes more than asking once — Consent means asking what the other person wants, listening to their answer, and acting accordingly. Children learn this sequence by watching adults stop.
Say what you want, too — When you want to hug your child, you can ask, “Can I give you a hug?” If they say no, stop and say, “Okay.”
You can show you're glad to see them without a hug — Even if your child doesn't want a hug, you can tell them how glad you are to see them. I think each time, you also show them it's okay to say what they want.