9 Simple Ways To Show Children They're Loved Unconditionally

“When our children receive unconditional love, it teaches them to love themselves deeply.”

To truly love someone fully to their core is to care for them without restrictions. Loving another person this way involves stepping back and seeing their true potential and beauty.

There are parenting books and classes that will give you great advice on parenting, but I have found that all of that wonderful guidance doesn’t mean anything if it’s not built on the foundation of unconditional love from a caregiver.

Well-meaning parents say, “I love you” to their children all of the time and then unknowingly do and say things that take away from that same love and trust. It is really easy to get stuck in a way of parenting that simply isn’t working, but because of not knowing how to change, continuing the cycle.

A child doesn’t only have to hear that they’re loved; they must be able to feel it 100% of the time as well.

Many of us may have grown up knowing what unconditional love feels like, while others may have not and that is okay. You didn’t necessarily have to have had the perfect upbringing to learn to parent your children with unconditional love and support. In addition, people who may have felt loved unconditionally might have lost sight of how to do so for their children.

We are all a drop in a collective sea of learning and discovering who we are as parents.

One thing that’s for sure is that we’re social animals and we carry an inborn need to want to be loved and express love towards others. And this can be your driving force in learning how to truly show your child that you love them.

How To Show Children That They’re Loved

Build A Child’s Inner Voice

Remind your child what you like about their character on a regular basis.

See Things Clearly

Observe your child without bias, as though you’re interacting with them for the first time.

Don’t Take it Personally

Remind yourself that most things children do is for amusement or fun, not to annoy you.

Get to Know and Observe Your Child’s Needs

Understand your child’s unique way of receiving love and respect it. Ex: Some people enjoy physical contact while others appreciate a compliment.

Address Behavior, Not Sense of Self

Address your child’s behavior not the child’s sense of self. Ex: “I didn’t like it when you hit your brother…,” not “You were horrible when you hit your brother."

Avoid Saying “Never” or “Always”

No matter how hard it might be, do not say, “never” or “always” when referring to a child’s behavior. Speaking in absolutes may make them feel like their behaviors are fixed.

Accept and Celebrate Each Sibling for Their Unique Abilities

You may relate to one of your children more than you do another, however each child looks to their caregiver for validation and support and if this need is overlooked it can damage their self-worth and trust.

Admit When You’re Wrong

This allows your child to know that you make mistakes too and frees them from blaming themselves for things they’re not responsible for.

Create A Regular Self-Care Routine

Have an outlet for stress like, talking to a friend, exercise, reading, watching movies, being creative, yoga, etc.

Love can heal and securely carry a person through life. It can create a healthy base for children to learn and grow in their relationships.

If there ever was a new habit that you’d like to pick up while raising your children it is the gift of expressing your love unconditionally. You already care for your child truly and deeply so why not express it in ways that they can hear it?