Loving your children

Does each of your children know how much they are loved, valued and cherished by you? As parents we have an opportunity and a responsibility to offer a tangible example of God’s love for us. Children first learn about our heavenly Father through us. Through our parenting we have an opportunity to show them unconditional love and grace. Are you being intentional about how you show your children that they are loved and cherished? Or, do you believe that they should just know they are loved and cherished just because they are your children?

Perspective is everything in this area. From your child’s perspective: do they know they are loved, believe they are cherished and feel that they are valued?

As a child I did not grow up feeling very loved, cherished or valued by either of my parents. Growing up in this manner caused a wound that I’ve only been able to overcome by faith and the love of God who gave me spiritual parents to fill my earthly need for parental love. Because of this I have made it a point to be very intentional in this area of my parenting and relationship with my children. Perhaps you have a childhood wound that has caused you to parent more intentionally as well. This doesn’t need to continue to be a negative; It can be a blessing. One of the blessings of raising your own children is having an opportunity to learn from your parent’s mistakes and find healing through more intentional parenting of your own children.

If you were blessed to have grown up in a home where this was modeled well for you, then you already have a tangible example of how you can mirror this to your own children. Make note and be intentional in how you show your love and affections for your children.

How to love your children intentionally:

Be Patient

The fruit of the spirit is….patience (Galations 5:22). It is easy to feel overworked, overburdened, and exhausted from answering the many questions and needs of children, especially little ones. But take note of how your tone sets the mood for the household. Give a soft answer (Proverbs 15:1) and weigh your answers before responding in anger (Proverbs 15:28, Psalm 37:8 ).

Don’t compare your children to one another. Love them for who they are, the individuals that God created them to be with different gifts, talents, and personalities. Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Praise your children. Acknowledge that they are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Cherish taking care of them.

The Proverbs 31 woman (a mother) shows us that one of her daily tasks including providing food for her household and caring for their clothing needs. Yet, how many of us (myself included) grumble about making the dinner, grocery shopping, or having to launder, buy or mend our children’s clothing? Children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3-5 ) and if we have been blessed with them then we should be happy to be at home raising them (Psalm 113:9) our children should not feel they are burden to us, but rather a gift from God. Mothers with daughters at home should take special care in the way they are modeling motherhood (arguably one of the most important jobs on earth) to their daughters.

Pay attention to them.

Don’t let your children take a backseat to the laundry, telephone, internet, television, or other less important duties or responsibilities you may have. Align your priorities and remember that people (your children) should always come before things (Facebook, Twitter, email, television etc.). That is not to say that you just let your laundry, cooking and cleaning go by the wayside, but likewise be careful that you don’t allow your children to go by the wayside either. (Proverbs 27:23). A number of Proverbs point out that we need to pay attention to our children because their behaviors can point to their character and who they associate with can greatly impact their behavior. (Proverbs 20:11, Proverbs 29:15) So pay attention to your children. Listen to them when they have questions. Observe their behavior. Take note when they are acting differently.Streamline your household duties so that they allow you to have more time with your children and not less.

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

Tell them how much you love them, early and often.

Actions may speak louder than words, but words coupled with actions leave little room for doubt. Tell your child(ren) that you are glad that God made you their mother. Let them know you love them and acknowledge when they make you proud. Tell them how much you enjoy spending time with them. Don’t complain about having to care for them.

Once, after telling my then 5 year old son how glad I was that God made me his mother he blessed me by saying, “I’m glad God made me your kid too!” If all of my children can say that then I think my life will have had purpose.

Is there an area of showing love to your children that you need to focus on this week? Which area is it? How are you going to be more intentional in your parenting today?

enjoyed it? please share >

Subscribe to a Grateful Life

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Subscribe to a Grateful Life

You might also enjoy...

Leave a Comment Cancel reply