21/03/2025
PARENTING AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT (5)
MODELLING LOVE 💕
Modeling love in children is a vital and impactful aspect of parenting, teaching, and caregiving. Our actions, gestures, and interactions provide the foundation for how they will understand and express love throughout their lives. You can always know children that come from homes where there is love.💕
And children who give love even when they grow are those that experienced love in their childhood 💕
Remember,
Children are highly observant, and they learn how to treat others by watching how adults behave.
Modeling kindness and empathy through small daily actions helps children understand how to express love. For example, when a parent or caregiver notices that someone is feeling down, they might offer comforting words or a gentle hug. This teaches the child that love is shown not just through grand gestures, but through small, thoughtful actions that acknowledge others' feelings.
Practical Example: If your child falls and hurts themselves, instead of just telling them it's okay, show empathy by kneeling beside them, offering comfort, and asking if they’re okay. This shows that love involves caring for others' pain and offering support when needed.
Physical affection, like hugs, kisses, and even holding hands, can convey love more effectively than words alone. Children often mimic the way we express affection in our own relationships. For instance, when parents hug each other, smile at each other, holds hand, children see love as a physical connection. Similarly, expressing love to your child through regular hugs, words of affirmation, or simply holding their hand when walking helps them understand the warmth and security love provides. Always tell them I love you and let them always hear you tell same to your spouse.
Practical Example: Make time to give your child a hug when they come home from school, before bed, or when they're feeling upset. These actions create a consistent sense of security and emotional closeness that teaches love as a nurturing force.
Again, Love isn't only about affection; it’s also about respect. Teaching children to communicate respectfully with others, including using polite words like “please” and “thank you,” helps them build relationships based on mutual care. Parents who listen carefully and speak respectfully to their spouses and children demonstrate love by valuing other people's opinions and feelings. Likewise, when disagreements arise, resolving conflicts respectfully—without yelling ,blaming and fighting—models that love means handling conflicts calmly and with understanding.
Practical Example: During family discussions or disagreements, model respectful communication. Instead of raising your voice, or calling names when angry, talk with respect, that way your child sees that respectful dialogue is a key part of love.
Children need to know they are a priority in their caregivers' lives. Simply being present for them, without distractions, is a form of modeling love. This doesn’t always mean being physically available but showing emotional availability as well. When your child is speaking to you, make eye contact and listen attentively. Let them know their feelings are valid and that you are there to support them, no matter what. Children who experience this kind of unconditional attention are more likely to understand that love involves being present for others, both physically and emotionally.
Practical Example: Put away distractions like phones or work when your child wants to talk. Sit down and truly listen, offering full attention. This makes them feel loved and valued.
Make out time for them, sit and watch their favorite movie with them, discuss it with them, play games with them, sing with them, make them have a fun memory of love about you in their mind.
Practical example - I remember that school run time was a sing song time with my children as I drove them to school.
I also used to tell them stories ( folktales) in our local language when they were small and they always look forward to that time.
It created a lasting impact in their lives that can't be deleted or forgotten.
One of the most practical ways to model love again is through acts of service. This can be something as simple as making your child’s favorite meal, helping them with schoolwork, or doing something thoughtful for a family member. When children see us performing acts of kindness for others, they learn that love is often shown through thoughtful deeds, not just words. This also helps them understand that love involves sacrifice and giving without expecting anything in return.
Practical Example: Make time to help your child organize their room or assist them with a school project, do it with them. By doing so, you demonstrate that love is often shown through acts of service that make life easier or more pleasant for others. Let them also see you help your spouse both of you doing things together.
Love also involves forgiveness. Modeling the ability to forgive teaches children that love isn’t conditional. People make mistakes, but love means accepting those mistakes and moving forward. When children see that you are willing to forgive others and yourself, it instills a sense of emotional resilience and security.
Practical Example: Ensure that when children quarrel, you help them reconcile fast, tell them implications of what they did and ensure they hug each other and become friends again.
Finally, children must understand that love is not dependent on achievement or behavior. Unconditional love means loving someone no matter their mistakes or shortcomings. This is especially important to model when a child makes mistakes or behaves in a way that may be disappointing. encourage in love. When a parent or caregiver continues to express love during these times, the child learns that love doesn’t fluctuate based on their actions. Remeber love doesn't remove discipline. For who the lord loves, he chastens, and discipline shows your child is a bonafide child of your family.
Practical Example: If your child gets a poor grade in school and the other did better tell them you love them regardless of the situation. Offer encouragement and support to the one struggling with academics and never compare. This shows that your love doesn’t depend on their performance or behavior.
Conclusion
Modeling love in children is about creating a nurturing, respectful, and supportive environment. By showing empathy, providing affection, listening attentively, performing acts of service, and showing forgiveness, you teach children the true meaning of love. Through your everyday actions, you set the stage for them to carry these values into their own relationships and lives, providing them with a strong emotional foundation for the future. Where ever they go it will be felt and seen in them. Love indeed is contagious.
We can model it!
It's possible!!!
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