I Like You
As MOM, we love our children unconditionally, demonstrating that love in the multitude of ways we care and provide for our family. If I shower love upon my brood, I’m a good mom, right? Believe it or not, our kids need more than our love. They need our like. We can argue the semantics — isn’t loving them the same as liking them? — but there is a slight difference.
Try this: think of a time when one of your offspring offended you in such a way that you thought “It’s a darn good thing I love you.” You’re not necessarily liking them at that moment, right? We’ve all done it. (I’m guilty of muttering those same sentiments toward my husband, too.) It goes hand in hand with “Good thing you’re cute!”
The next time you’re not too busy loving your children by cooking them a healthy supper or cleaning up their vomit for the third time in the same day, be sure to like them and let them know it!
- Encourage their good behavior. “I like how you make your baby sister giggle.” “It’s awesome that you remember to toss your dirty clothes down the laundry chute.”
- Let them know that you enjoy being with them. “I like snuggling up with you. Thank you for reading with me.” “You know, you are fun to have around. I’m so glad you’re my daughter.”
- Make and share a special treat just because. “Hey, how about we make some chocolate chip cookies?”
- Enjoy a one-on-one date with each child. This doesn’t have to cost a dime. Head to the park, go for a bike ride, enjoy a nature walk, read books at the library, give each other a makeover (kick everyone else out of the house first), cash in your Swag Bucks for a special treat.
- Say YES more often. “Yes, you can build a fort in the living room.” “Sure, you can play with play doh.”
- Join in the fun. “I’d love to build a snowman with you.” “I’d love to play Go Fish. Do I get to go first?”
You’re an awesome mom! How do you show your children that you really, really like them?
Stop by Rocks In My Dryer for more Works For Me Wednesday.
AUTHOR | Amy
Amy is the loving mother of three young children and lives with her husband in a tiny town in Kansas. Her blog, The Finer Things in Life, celebrates and encourages others in all of the things that money cannot buy: faith, motherhood, simplicity, tiny towns, and good home cookin'.
Very good points. Thank you for sharing. I especially like the one-on-one date night with each kid.
Thanks for this reminder! I do try to often have special one-on-one time with my children. I also tell them specific things like, “I had fun having a tea party with you today!”
Thanks so much for the reminder. I have said the “good thing you’re cute” too many times! These are great tips. thanks for sharing!
I need to do the one on one with my children more. I try to encourage all those things that they do well.
Thank you for the wonderful reminder! I love my children always, but I need to remember to always like them as well! What a good way to build them up! And, what a great reason to drop everything and spend time with your children! (to build up that “like”!)
Playing with them is so important! Thank you for highlighting these important points ~ it is so easy to get sidetracked to less important things.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Thanks for some great tips and reminders!!
What a sweet title for this post, and I love the message. It’s a good reminder, not to let the business of life steal away our precious time with out little ones.
Have a good day, and have fun!
Oh, this is so true! When mine were younger (they range from 18-26 now), they each got to come out with me on a Saturday morning. We ran errand, hit garage sales and had lunch together. With four kids, that meant one Saturday morning. a month dedicated to each kid. We always had such a good time, and it was a morning off from chores, too!
PS, even if you don’t have a whole morning, another way you can do the one-on-one thing is either with board games or cards! To this day, my oldest son is still my favorite Scrabble competitor!
I love to bake with my kids! It’s fun and educational and they love being the helpers in one of my hobbies:-)
Thanks for reminding everyone about this. I grew up really really hurting because although my father claimed to love me and showed it by doing his ‘duty” (providing a living, Christmas presents, piano lessons etc.), I knew that he didn’t LIKE me. He told me so. He was convinced that he loved me, but I could never tell. I understand what he meant, now that I’m grown, but it left me with vulnerabilities that you don’t want to leave in your children’s lives.