The Health Blog

Saying “I love you” to your kids as often as you can can help develop the confidence and personality of your children. But the meaning should be depicted to this phrase as well. eDiets.com lists 9 ways to say “I love you” to your kids.

1. Use Eye Contact. It is said that souls touch when meaningful eye contact is made during moments of intimacy.

2. Touch. This adds a tactile meaning to the verbal expression of love. A plain “I love you” is incomparable with one with a hug or a pat on the back.

3. Use names. The sweetest sound in any language is the sound of your own name.

4. Use the words son and daughter. This creates an emotion-filled statement that will invite an equally emotional response.

5. Add nonverbal signals to your spoken message. Smile, wink and add pleasant facial expressions to your words.

6. Do not use the word “when” as part of your vocal communication of love because this puts a condition on your love.

7. Remove the word “but” from your description of love. “I love you, but” is usually followed by a concern, problem or frustration. Children will get confused and conclude the love part is a manipulation intended to soften them up before the real message is delivered.

8. Add “because you are loveable” to your manner of expressing love. “I love you because you are lovable” is an important concept to help children appreciate. It helps them understand that your love is attached to nothing. It simply is. Be careful not to add any other words after because. “I love you because you are thoughtful” adds a condition that communicates conditional love. The only acceptable phrase to use with because is because you are lovable.

9. Say “I love you” at unexpected times. To heighten the impact of these three valuable words, use them at unexpected times. Say them in the middle of a meal, as you are driving down the road in your car, or as you stand at the kitchen sink doing dishes together.