Teaching children about love

Every February, supermarkets and stores nationwide adorn their aisles with heart-shaped trinkets, red and pink ribbons and lots of chocolates. And each year, around that time, I am reminded how important it is to continue teaching my children about love.

With six kids spanning in age from eight months to 25 years old, I’ve found it possible and helpful to teach love through the following three ways:

Example
The age-old saying, “lead by example” remains true even when teaching about love. You can talk about it all you want, but your children will learn the most when they watch you engaging, developing and strengthening loving relationships. The feelings of love and compassion should be extended past your family to show a greater sense of care and selflessness with every interaction you encounter throughout each day.

Contact
Sharing in personal contact is an excellent way to help your children learn about love and showing love in relationships. Have them volunteer their time within their community if they are old enough. Spending a day at a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen or even an animal shelter will help children develop a greater sense of kindness and compassion. If you have young children, encourage them to physically help a friend or a sibling by lending a hand and helping with whatever is needed.

Practice
It’s not always easy, but it’s important to lead your children to a life of positive, loving relationships. Keep in mind it may be a difficult thing for your children to learn too. There will be instances when they don’t act in an appropriate manner, and you need to be there to help them learn from those moments. Keep practising, and in time, your child will build and strengthen loving relationships and you will be reminded of your great successes in life and parenting.

To read Nickell’s blog, visit daddyscrubs.com.