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Relationships

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Original poster

Following on from the dp/dh thread, how often do you tell your children you love them?

91 replies

Miaou · 03/03/2007 08:34

... Because I think I virtually never say it

I show them a lot - we are very tactile, do lots of kisses and hugs and cuddles. But I never say "I love you" to them (and neither does dh, incidentally). I am confident that they are secure in our love for them, but ... does that make me unusual? I have to say the thought of saying "I love you" to them leaves me a little uncomfortable, don't know why.

OP posts:

SherlockLGJ · 03/03/2007 08:36

Everyday either in word or deed.

And sometimes for absolutely no reason, he will stop in the street and grab my wrist and say I really love you.

Nbg · 03/03/2007 08:37

We say it everyday. Always when dd goes to bed. Its our little ritual.

"Good night"

"Night night, leave the door open"

"Yes, night love you"

"Love you too mummy"

Awwwwwwwwww, lol

Budababe · 03/03/2007 08:37

Always - multiple times a day. And he says it back. Snuggled up to me in bed this morning and said "I love you Mummy". BEST BEST BEST way to wake up EVER!

fifiandtheflowertots · 03/03/2007 08:39

Just about everytime i cuddle him, and always before bed. He's only 10 month so cant say it back yet but i cant wait until he does.

Budababe · 03/03/2007 08:39

We have a "ritual" too NBG

"Night night"

"Sleep tight"

"Don't let"

"The bed bugs bite"

"I love you"

"Sweet dreams"

So cute.

Original poster

Miaou · 03/03/2007 08:40

Hmmm. My kids often say, "you're a lovely mummy", to which I reply "and you're a lovely girl!" - and ds (18m) is very affectionate. Not sure how much importance I should attach to this!

OP posts:

wheresthevalium · 03/03/2007 11:06

Er, lots, our bedtime ritual is kisses and cuddles and settling down and whispers for both DDs.

As I walk out of the room I say, 'Goodnight, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite, sweet dreams, I love you'

Both normally squeal back 'but I love you this much' (arms outstretched a la Guess How Much I love You)

I say it all he time with loads of hugs and cuddles, perhaps it's because my parents weren't that touchy feely or otherwise demonstrative.

SSShakeTheChi · 03/03/2007 11:07

all day every day , over and over and over

kittypants · 03/03/2007 11:07

lots!

franke · 03/03/2007 11:10

Loads, and loads of cuddles too. I didn't have this as I was growing up and often felt unloved. I think small children need everything made very clear to them, be it "keep away from the fire or you'll get burned" or "I love you"

WideWebWitch · 03/03/2007 11:11

Every day, several times.

sandcastles · 03/03/2007 11:11

Everyday, 2 or 3 times at least.

Sometimes she will just come over to me & say 'I love you sooo much' & I will say 'I love you too'.

Everytime she goes to bed it's kisses, cuddles, I love You.

I never heard this from my parents as a child & I tend to say it alot as I need my dd to know I love her, because I never felt love (thru word or deed)

My insecurities playing out, I guess.

charliecat · 03/03/2007 11:27

Not that often, Ill add it to something, I do love you by the way...

gothicmama · 03/03/2007 11:29

I say it everyday to them becasue it's important to methat I say it to them

Original poster

Miaou · 03/03/2007 11:54

eek, just me then? Maybe I should have been a little more non-directive with the thread title - eg "Do you tell your kids you love them?". Starting to feel a bit mean now ...

OP posts:

charliecat · 03/03/2007 12:04

I dotn feel the need to either, and it doesnt roll off my tongue the way it should, I show them I love them, instead

VeniVidiVickiQV · 03/03/2007 12:04

Many times through the day.

My DC's have started saying it back to me just as often (and unprompted).

I think its very important to say how you feel when you feel it - happy or not.

pinkchampagne · 03/03/2007 12:09

I would say that I say it at some stage of every day. I definitely say it every night when they go to bed.

MorocconOil · 03/03/2007 12:13

Depends really. Some days a lot, some days never but usually at bedtime and on saying good-bye at school will often whisper it in their ears. Can't really remember my parents ever saying it now I come to think of it.

Polgara2 · 03/03/2007 13:40

Every day, several times - whenever the mood takes us really! We all say it to each other - can't imagine not doing tbh.

JodieG1 · 03/03/2007 13:53

All the time

myturn · 03/03/2007 13:54

Every day.

Lullabyloo · 03/03/2007 13:57

oodles & oodles & oodles

tortoise · 03/03/2007 14:14

Many times throughout the day and especially at bed time.
DD1 says it to me all the time. We could be walking along the path and she will look round and say luff you Mummy. awww.

I don't remember my parents ever saying it and felt quite unloved. When i was about 8 i was told i was too old to kiss them goodnight.

I think ive tried to make sure my DC know they are loved very much.

smellymelly · 03/03/2007 14:18

I say it a few times every day to each of them (have 4) It means a lot to me as I do not remember hearing ever as a child either. I also feel I want my kids to know that they are loved, and I tell them they are gorgeous, pretty and handsome etc to boost their confidence and help them respect themselves - again all things not done for me.

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