How would you describe love to your kids?

baby dont hurt me, dont hurt me, no more… chan chan da da, chan chan, dara, dada…

Depending on their age, I’d probably just try to simplify it. Something along the lines of telling them it’s when they get butterflies and think about the person a lot. That’s obviously not love, but that’ll work until they’re older lol.

Wiping copious amounts of poopy from your teeny baby botty at 4 in the morning, matchsticks propping eyes open, peg on nose. Love, it’s a stinker ;¬}

When you care for something and want it safe, happy and in your life not because it’s family or out of responsibility but just because.

I think most kids are innocent and simple enough that they instinctively know what love is. I have three (19, 17, and 7) and not a one has asked me what love is. On the other hand, they have always expressed their love freely.

Questioning the nature of love starts when you become a bit older and life has begun to cut and grind on you a little. It starts when there are some bare patches where that simplicity and innocence have been rubbed away.

We use their favorite toy or blanket. Each child attaches themselves to one specific toy or item, that they will hold onto forever.

We told our children, “see how much you love your blanky? This is how much we love you”. What was her reply? “I love mommie and daddy just as much as my blanky”.

We felt like they now understand the association of loving someone as compared to loving an item in their life.

“baby don’t hurt me , don’t hurt me, no more .. ” I’d start there.

@poisonedantidote : you legend

When a small child asks a question like that, there is probably something on their mind. If it were me, I’d turn the question back to them. “What do you think love is?” That should open up a discussion on what looks and feels like. It may also lead to something that is bothering them.

I’m with @Blondesjon on this one. It’s not so much what I tell them as it is what I share with them in every day actions. In this way, it is never questioned. It’s just experienced.

great question @qeen. i’ve never heard it asked like this before

I think I would describe it in terms of our relationship. How I will always be there to protect them and care for them and have fun with them and make sure they learn what they need to to survive in this world. I will care for them and about them, and it will always be a joy to see them. They make me happy.

I would try to explain it in terms of actions, not concepts or even feelings. At that age, I think it needs to be concrete. Is love real?

I felt that my parents didn’t love me because they spent time with my siblings and not me at bedtime. I was unsure as to whether they would take me in all the time, and let me share their roof.

My attitude is that my children are always welcome in my home and can always draw on my attention and support. If they start acting violent or in some other way hurtful, we may revisit that issue. But my assumptions is that won’t happen, and they are always welcome and that’s what love means.

My kids have asked me this and I’m a bit of a buzz kill. I differentiate between infatuation and love. Most kids once they reach the age where they start having crushes believe they are experiencing love. And they are, in a certain way. But that kind of “love” wears off within months. Love, to me, is what happens once you’ve lived life with an individual. When you’ve experienced life’s ups and downs and still want to be with that person. When you can take disappointment from that person and still want to be with them. It takes time.

Infatuation can lead to love but not all infatuation does lead to love.

I would probably describe it as “when you like somebody so much, that it makes you feel warm and happy inside.” I would then tell her that love is the way I feel about her.

FIERCE.