My children still say "ew!" when they see my husband and me kiss. And I'm okay with that. Don't get me wrong. It won't keep me from kissing my husband when they're around, because well ... we like kissing ... and because they need to see a marriage that's healthy and strong so they can grow up to have one of their own, too. But they're also still four and six. And they don't need to be kissing anyone but parents and family yet. And those are pecks on the cheek. They have their own way of expressing love, though. My son found an empty water bottle and decided it would make a great vase. So, he went out and loaded it up with clover flowers. Then, he added some water so they wouldn't die. And he placed it on my mantle for me. Because he knew I liked flowers.
And I left them up there for a while (maybe too long considering how fuzzy they were when we chunked them). Because I wanted him to know that I appreciated him wanting to do something to make me happy and show me he cared. My daughter draws us pictures all the time. We never know when we'll be handed another note full of hearts and mermaids and expressions of love. Because she knows we love getting those from her (although if I tried to keep them all, I might need a second house). Adults have love languages--touch, affirmations, quality time, gifts, and service. But kids have their own love languages, too. And, if you think about it, theirs fit into those adult ones. These are sneak peeks into how our children know love. And that means I better pay attention. Because it's going to be ways I can express love back to them, too. Notes in the lunchbox for my daughter always make her feel special. And my son loves having time to play or read stories or just be outside together. As we raise our children, let's pay attention to their love languages, too. And make sure they know we love them back. Isn't love the most important language we can learn? How have your children expressed love in the past?
2 Comments
7/15/2021 09:30:13 am
The oldest- it seems to be serious discussions about whatever is on our minds. He trusts my opinion. The second is super good at finding perfect gifts that allow me to enjoy things I love doing. The third sends me pictures, shares happy thoughts and encouragement. I am blessed by all of them.
Reply
Amy R Anguish
7/15/2021 02:19:26 pm
Those all sound like great ways to express love!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
This is a place for me to share thoughts and ideas not just related to writing. Thoughts about what's going on in my life, about an idea I got that I thought shareworthy, or just a funny anecdote.
Categories
All
Archives
April 2024
|