How important is it to hear the words, "I love you?"
"I love you," "Je t'ame," and "Ich liebe dich" all mean the same; it's just stating "I love you" in three different languages: English, French, and German.
These words are used many times in many types of relationships. Regardless, they have the power - when coupled with appropriate actions - to make the poor feel like kings and queens. They mend the hearts of broken people, set captives free, and turn the hearts of people towards those who love them.
"I love you" - turns frowns into the brightest of smiles.
"I love you" - brings light into the place where darkness had ruled.
"I love you" - brings hope where hopelessness had reigned.
"I love you" - life-changing words indeed!
Table of Contents
Spoken Parental Love
Vital to all children, regardless of their ages
Spoken parental love and devotion is important to every child born upon the Earth. Though we may not always admit it, it remains a truth embedded deep in the recesses of our souls.
When we hear the words, "I love you," after doing something good, it makes us feel proud.
When we hear those same words spoken when sitting in front of the television watching a movie, we smile.
However, when we've done something wrong and we hear the words, "I love you," from our parents, it touches the chords of our heartstrings like little else. Despite having to face the consequences of our actions, we know that we are loved and it makes the consequences bearable.
Desire to please parents
Positive attitudes
When parents love us and we know it, beyond a shadow of doubt, we don't want to go out of our way to get their attention by upsetting them. We want to do things which will please them so we can show them we love them in return.Continuing to do well in school, getting along with our siblings and friends, and helping out around the house are a few examples of ways we can act when we desire to make out parents proud of us.
***
Our parents' actions towards us reinforce their love for us on the days we don't hear those three little words spoken.
Every time we are asked to clean up after ourselves, to help around the house, even to learn a new task, our parents are showing us they love us. They are also educating us about the importance of working together as a family.
A spontaneous hug, a pat on the back, a family outing or vacation, sitting with us while we struggle through our homework, or through heartache, are all ways parents demonstrate their love for us.
During those days when we don't hear the three little words from their lips, their actions reassure us of their love - but the days when we receive the loving actions and loving words are the best days of all!
Love shouldn't be taken for granted
"I love you" is a phrase some of us hear too little. However, some of us hear it so much it becomes routine to the point we don't even notice when it's being said.
Love is not something to be taken for granted and, while it would be nice to hear those words every day, we understand when we don't.
Solely duty and obligation???
Not all children bask in joy and hope because they didn't have the continual reinforcement that they were loved - that they were important. Instead they've grown to believe their parents' actions toward them were a result of duty and obligation.
Memories
A personal note
On a personal note, I grew up in an environment where my parents cared for my siblings and I. They tended to our basic needs and also spent time with us.We'd go on family outings, converse around the dinner table, and we'd laugh and joke, or share frustrations about our days.
Mom had the luxury of being able to stay home until my sister went to school. Even then, she only worked part-time - just enough to get out of the house for a few hours most days. Life was good.
Dad worked a lot; his job demanded numerous hours from him. As such, he didn't get to spend as much time with us as he would have liked.
I remember doing things so he wouldn't have to do them after returning home from work. I'd keep the driveway shoveled and I'd rake the grass during summer. I enjoyed the work because it made me feel good physically. However, the pride I saw shining in his eyes was a bonus. It was the appreciation I needed to feel at that point in my life.
My parents showed us they loved us by their actions, but I don't remember hearing them actually saying the words on many occasions. Ironically, it's now that we've become adults that we hear those words at the end of almost every phone call.
The World at our Fingertips
When we feel loved, we feel we can achieve anything. Because our parents have made us feel good about ourselves, we feel the sky is the limit. Friendships are stronger, relationships are better, school work becomes easier, and we feel much excitement when thinking about the future.
Saying, "I love you," to children.
I love my children
And I have no trouble saying the words to them
I tell my children I love them. They know I love them equally even though I share different relationships with each of them.
They know I love them when I'm in a great mood but, even when I'm feeling disappointed in one of them, I reiterate the fact that I love them but that their actions, words, or thoughts are unacceptable. I'm far from perfect but I strive to nurture them to be solid, reputable individuals in society. It's not always the easiest task of being a parent.
However, it's been my experience that when children are told they are loved - because they need to hear the words often - they have a greater appreciation and respect for their parents.
It's essential to demonstrate love in parent-child relationships because, when children don't find the love they require at home, they look for it elsewhere...and not always in places we can accept or appreciate.
Saying, "I Love You" is important
Look at the following book titles and rank them in order of importance to you. Feel free to add your own titles.
I Love You: Verses & Sweet Sayings by Bessie P. Gutmann
Somebody loves you Deep and true; If I weren't so more...0 points
Valentines Are For Saying I Love You by Margaret Sutherland
Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks has been a peren more...0 points
I Love You Rituals by Becky A. Bailey
I Love You Rituals offers more than seventy deligh more...0 points
I Love You Through And Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak
I love your hair and eyes,Your giggles and cries.. more...0 points
I Will Hold You 'til You Sleep by Linda Zuckerman
Here is the rare book that not only expresses a pa more...0 points
Check out these lenses!
-
The Art of Forgiveness
-
Forgiveness - the word itself causes many of us to think of words and phrases such as sin, wrong doing, mistakes, grief, guilt, shame, regret and despair, among others. It causes us to think of the negative aspects of being human because we are capa...
-
If Tomorrow Never Comes
-
How vital is it to tell those you love that they are important to you? Is it something you take for granted most days, feeling others know how you feel? Well, an important question to ask yourself is this: What happens if tomorrow never comes? What...
-
Demonstrating Love to Your Partner
-
Loving your partner has potential for granting rewards above and beyond anything you can imagine...as long as you continue to realize there are TWO of you in the relationship - that the needs of your partner are as important as your own. Love truly...
Your comments, please!
If you like this lens, please let me know. If you think it can be improved, let me know that, too.
I look forward to hearing from you...
Thanks,
Norma
-
Reply
- Kelsey-Budden-16 Kelsey-Budden-16 Sep 30, 2009 @ 11:12 am
- Mommy I'm amazed by you. That phrase popped into mind. lol
-
Reply
- Norma_Budden Norma_Budden Feb 18, 2009 @ 11:55 pm | in reply to Valerie-Blakely
- Thank you so much for your kind words!
-
Reply
- Valerie-Blakely Valerie-Blakely Feb 18, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
- I enjoyed every word of your lens! Love is all you need! Rock on powerful parent!
by Norma_Budden
Whenever time permits, I love to rea... (more)
Explore related pages
MAGIC OF MAKING UP- From The Man That Has Secretly Helped 6,100 People In 67 Countries... Now You Ca...
Family in love!- Parenting is Heart Work Power of parenting is obvious in them love for the chil...
Loving Your Children Tips- Parenting is tough but it can be fun.With just a little care,parents and childre...
Fatherhood: The Critical Role a Father Plays in Raising his Daughters and Sons- Whether we know it or now, we dads have a critical role to play in our sons and...
Being A Better Parent - Parents Guide- Being A Better Parent - Raising Children: A Parent’s Guide - This is the w...
