Know How to Speak the Love Language
I happened to find Leslie’s sharing over at DotMoms, I enjoyed reading the article and shared the same feeling. Now and then, people around might comment on how often and when we should say “I love you”. From the bottom of a mother’s heart, I would like to let my loved ones know how much I love them. I truly believe that our children need my affections showing towards them. By observing their response to my loving words and hugs, I would be very sure that they need and like it.
Leslie’s sharing also reminds me of a book, that I read years ago. That is called The Five Love Languages written by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell, M.D.
Love Language #1:
Physical Touch - gentle touch on shoulder, holding hands or hugs
Love Language #2:
Words of Affirmation - nice words or praise with right attitude,tone of voice and mood
Love Language #3:
Quality Time - being together or doing something together
Love Language #4:
Gifts - meaningful gift with creativity
Love Language #5:
Acts of Service - service appropriate to age without manipulation
The main idea of the book is about how to speak the “love language” to your recipients. Everybody has his own way of getting the message of love. Gary Chapman vividly shows his readers that many children need words of affirmation and physical touch as their ways of feeling loved. Other children might need parents’ quality time (being there with them), or receiving gifts, or acts of service (helping them) to feel loved. A series of books with similar titles are written for teenagers, couples and singles too. I was fascinated with the idea and found that how different people would feel loved in different ways. This book also helps people know how to communicate with their children, overcoming some emotional barriers, and thus reduce the chance of being misunderstood. Your child has an “emotional tank” to be filled with unconditional love.
Good things, like being loved or expressing love won’t be too much at all. As for our little ones, they especially need lots of good things everyday. We, as parents, cannot take it for granted that they would know we love them without speaking their “love language”.
Related articles:
How to Speak Love Language #1: Physical Touch
How to Speak Love Language #2: Words of Affirmation
How to Speak Love Language #3: Quality Time
How to Speak Love Language #4 Gifts
How to Speak Love Language #5 Acts of Service