10 Ways To Show LOVE To Your Children

If i have learned anything about showing love to my family in this life, it is that EVERYONE shows love and wants to be shown love differently.

One of my favorite books is The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. If you haven’t read it or taken the quiz to find out what YOUR love language is, I HIGHLY recommend it! In fact, you can even click here to take it! A Love Language is the way you personally and emotionally feel love. The different areas are: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch.

In my marriage, my husband’s love language is acts of service. He loves to do things for me and would love for me to do things for him. He would rather come home from work to a clean house and his laundry put away, than for me to snuggle on the couch with him. I, on the other hand, am not that way. My love language{s} are quality time and physical touch. I would rather him come home and sit on the couch, while holding my hand and just be together than help with dinner. That is all I need. That is when I feel most loved.

Now that we have brought a baby into this world, I recognize that she has her own love language as well! She is still pretty little, but I am learning how to show her love. One of my favorite things about this life is that everyone is so unique! Each one of us has different needs and different talents to help each other along the way…especially in our own families and homes.

In this crazy world of sadness, sending our kids off into the “real world” is hard! But if we drop them off at school or send them out on a play date, knowing that they KNOW that we love them, it will be a little easier. Bullying seems to be such a “thing” right now, but maybe if each child felt love starting in their own homes, they will be able to have the confidence, happiness, support and desire to share love with others.

I have come up with 10 Ways To Show LOVE To Your Children. No matter what their love language may be, every child and member of your family can feel good by doing these small acts for them.

1. BE POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGE: You are the parent. Did you know that YOU set the tone in the house? That is a huge responsibility! Children seem to get down on themselves. They hear mean things from kids at school, may not do their very best on a test or aren’t the all star soccer player on their team. Even if they do not show it, they may feel it. Be positive. Encourage them. Tell them they are good! Tell them they can do it! Tell them what talents they have and how to continue to work on them. Be proud of them and show them how happy they make you.

2. LISTEN: One of my favorite things about little kids, is their stories. They are hilarious people! They say some of the funniest things I have ever heard in my life. Let them talk. Let them tell you about their day. Let them tell you everything. Even if it doesn’t always make sense.

3. SPEND TIME TOGETHER: Whether it is one-on-one time with each child or a family night together, it is important to spend time with them. Help with homework, go play outside, get ice cream at McDonalds… that quality time will always be remembered.

4. GIVE HUGS: I give Laila at least 100 hugs a day. I know as children get older they are not as accepting as hugs, but try. That physical touch lets them know that you are there for them.

5. BE SPONTANEOUS AND CREATIVE: This one is FUN! Do something random for them! Surprise them at school with lunch or when you pick them up, go to the mall for a surprise date. Write a little note and put it in their lunch box. Have a picnic in the park for dinner. Let them stay up late and watch a movie together. Get creative and do something they love to do!

6. HAVE PATIENCE: This one is tough, but I know of the importance of it. Sometimes as a mom, life can get so crazy and stressful! There is so much going and so much work to do, in so little time. Take a deep breath and try to be calm. Thomas S. Monson said, “One day each of us will run out of tomorrows. Let us not put off what is important.” In those times of stress, try to remember what is most important to you. The dishes? Cleaning the bathroom? Or getting on the ground with the kids and making an even bigger mess with lots of memories?

7. BE THEIR BIGGEST FAN: My mom was the perfect example of this. She honestly has always been my biggest fan and best cheerleader. In my hardest times growing up, she was there for me. She was there to pick me up when I was sad and made me feel beautiful when I felt less than that. In all aspects of life, through sports, school, church and chores – remember to be their to cheer them on.

8. THANK THEM AND/OR APPLAUD THEM: Often times, I think we expect so much out of children…then they do it… and then we don’t do anything about it because “we expected her to do that.” Thank them! Tell them you are so grateful for what they have done and who they are becoming.

9. CELEBRATE AND MAKE A MEMORY: I am one who loves to find reasons to celebrate. Celebrate accomplishments. Celebrate birthdays and holidays. Celebrate seasons. Celebrate family. Celebrate THEM! My mom always says, “Go out and MAKE A MEMORY.” Do it.

10. SAY THE SIMPLE WORDS, “I LOVE YOU.”: Sometimes the simplest thing to do, is the hardest thing to do. When was the last time you told them, “I love you.” Simply say it – I bet you will hear it right back. Because they love you too.

I always hear, “don’t ever go to sleep angry” at bridal showers, when giving advice to the new couple. I believe that goes towards our whole family, not just as a couple. Make sure your children go to sleep knowing they are loved and leave the house every morning knowing you can’t wait for them to come home.

I know that as we show love to our children and family members, that we will create a bond that will be unbreakable. I hope that my little Laila will always know how much we love her and that she is an essential part in our family, as each member is. I challenge you this week to find out what each member in your family’s love languages are and to try to show them love according to their needs.

William Shakespeare said, “They do not love, that do not show their love.”

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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

April 14, 2014 by Danielle Davis | 12 Comments