How do you say, "I love you?"

Photo by Mary Bingham

As we celebrate love this month, the iParent blog team wants to know... What do you do to show your child you love him or her? Are there any special Valentines Day traditions you have? Please share them with our readers.

Comments

[Eva]

time of good quality with them

[Eric Baesel]

Eva,

Thanks for your comment. I also think quantity of time is important too. I remember my Dad taking time off from work to go on weekend campouts with me and my scouting troup. He did stuff like that with me and all three of my siblings. That he made himself and his time available to us spoke volumes about his love.

[amy]

I tell them I love them! I hug them and kiss them. I try to listen to their requests. Sometimes I miss the mark and make mistakes by not listenning when I should and rushing through the day. However, when I ask God to show me, I feel like my heart is more open to see what my kids need each day.

[Eric Baesel]

Amy,

It's remarkable to see how forgiving kids can be when we fail as parents sometimes. Of course, our Heavenly Father never fails - but it is sweet to receive grace from our children as it is sweet to receive it from God. Parents are doubly loved!

[Katrina]

Kids love to get mail. About once a month I will send cards in mail telling them how much I love, or your are special, etc. And will put stickers, etc inside. They are always so excited when they receive it.

[Eric Baesel]

Great ideas, Katrina!

[Sue N.]

When you can and if you can, I think the most important way to show kids you care is just by being there. Just be there; with a smile when they come home from school, with a simple breakfast they like when they wake up, eager to talk when they feel like doing so about ups or downs in their life, ready to volunteer to chaeuffeur them and their friends to an event or for a day when you can, and to offer a hug or kiss as often as possible. I just try to quietly show them that I'm happy just being with them and there for them.

[Eric Baesel]

I agree, Sue. And I didn't fully understand the impact of my parents showing me love that way until I became a parent and realized how much I enjoy spending time with my daughter - watching her grow up. It's also a beautiful metaphor for how our Heavenly Father longs to spend time with us.

Thanks for sharing!

[JillS.]

The kids and I spend time making Valentine's for their class. We have a three year running tradition going. They get so excited about stickers and the work that goes into making something so simple, yet so important. The time together is priceless and I share these tender moments with everyone! "Hey, we worked on the Valentine's today...Mason did a great job making creases in the paper. But first I had to explain what a crease was to him. So funny." My extended family will mail them Valentine's which is a kick. They are still learning to read, but they know their name on the envelope!

[Eric Baesel]

Jill,

Very cute. Thanks for sharing.

[Vicki]

My children are 19, 22, & 26. Typically, we think of teachable moments in relation to our young children. But, a parent is a parent for life. Those teachable moments never cease. What a privilege God has given us.

[Rick]

I have three. I tell them how good a job they did when they do something right. I sit and talk with them about life difficulties and how they can overcome them. I let them know I went thru many of the same things they are going thru. For example I can sense the anxiety in my 6th grader going into 7th and the difference it will be. I tell him what to expect and let him know I had those same anxieties. I have another who just drove with his learners permit for the second time today. I told him I know how nervous he is and that I went through that too. Then I complimented him on what a great job he did. Build your kids up; don't break them down.

[Crystal]

There is not a day that goes by when I don't tell my kids I love them. I hug tham and kiss them as much as possible. About the time my first son was 2 I started doing his little thing where I would simply touch his nose whenever he was near me or passing me. Of course his went on with my daughter and I still do it today. When my Son was 4 I asked him one day, "Do you know what this means?" and I tapped his nose. He sad, "Yup, it means you love me." Right then and there I knew my love for my kids was evident and I never even had to say a word! Of curse that didn't stop me from telling them every chance I get!