Son has never said he loves me.

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Not sure where to post this.

I have an eleven year old son who has always been very difficult and strong-willed. We do clash but we are also very affectionate, although I sometimes think he uses affection to dissipate an argument or get out of trouble. It's just dawned on me that he's never said he loves me. I have another child who says it all the time but he never does. Is this normal? He seems very self-absorbed and could "take me or leave me" iykwim. :(

Awww - I've got a 10 year old ds who has never told me (or dp) he loves me. But I know it's him - he just is a huge introvert who has real difficulties expressing his emotions - he always has and he always will. But I know he loves me .

One thing that's really helped him communicate better is the ipod he got for his birthday recently. I've got an iphone and he's started to send me messages - each night he sends me a "night night. xx." with two heart pictures . It's utterly lovely and I translate it as "I love you" and always send him the same message back.

So, please don't think your ds doesn't love you - he'll probably show it in all sorts of different ways - and would something like an ipod or swapping texts be something he would be more likely to express himself in?

I tell ds1 I love him every day - several times - I never stop telling him so that he knows it's OK to say it and it's OK to feel it

He is very good at expressing himself, normally his displeasure! He also has all these gadgets but never replies to texts from me or OH.

i'm 38 can't i can't recall ever telling my mum that i love her and its not something that i would ever feel comfortable saying (silly i know) but i do love her and i think (i hope?) she knows it.

Some people just don't say that.