As we all know, material possessions are just one form of love. The fleeting moments in our daily lives, on the other hand, are the warmth that we carry throughout our childhood. There are 5 key moments when children are more receptive to feeling loved and happy within their family.
When parents express their love verbally
In Vietnamese culture, we tend to be shy when it comes to talking about love. Even though parents deeply love their children, many find it challenging to express their emotions or say it aloud.
However, when parents openly demonstrate their love, children have the opportunity to discover and experience that love more profoundly. Simple actions such as hugs, spending quality playtime, or offering words of encouragement create beautiful memories and help children feel loved.
A child who feels loved will also feel safer, never worrying about separation and always maintaining an optimistic and cheerful attitude towards life.
As Voltaire once said: “The ear is the road to the heart.” This emphasizes the importance of listening and sharing emotions.
When parents express their love verbally.
There is no parent who doesn’t love their child. Parents often go out of their way to do tangible things for their children, such as cooking delicious meals, spending entire days playing with them, or helping them with their studies.
While these actions clearly convey their love and are meaningful, sometimes they fall short in verbalizing those emotions. Cooking a nice meal and spending time with your child are ways to show love, but they often go unnoticed or are not fully appreciated.
When love is explicitly expressed with words like “I love you”, it becomes an indispensable part of their memory, helping children cherish beautiful memories of their parents’ love.
Encouragement and support during setbacks
While it’s common for parents to show care and affection during good times, it’s during times of disappointment or difficulty that their support and encouragement shine brightest. Like fireworks illuminating a child’s life path, these acts of love brighten and give meaning to their lives.
When children face failure, sadness, or pressure, words of encouragement become a powerful force that helps them get back up and keep moving forward.
These moments are crucial as they help children overcome immediate obstacles and impart valuable lessons about resilience and perseverance. Through each experience, children learn that life isn’t always easy, but with their parents’ support, they can overcome any challenge.
In modern society, it’s not just about ensuring that children are physically comfortable and well-fed; it’s also about providing them with spiritual values such as resilience, courage, love, and strength.
Encouragement and support during setbacks.
Children feeling unconditional love
Most parents love their children, even during difficult times, illnesses, or other challenges that make life harder for their children.
However, in reality, this love can sometimes unintentionally become conditional, making children feel hurt. For example, saying “I’ll love you more if you get higher grades” creates an invisible distance, making children doubt their self-worth and your love for them.
Unconditional love, on the other hand, is the light that guides children’s hearts. It’s about parents being present, supportive, and encouraging their children through all circumstances, whether joyful or challenging.
It’s about parents being willing to listen to their children’s concerns and accept their mistakes.
When parents apologize to their children
Many parents find it difficult to apologize to their children when they realize they’ve made a mistake. Saying “sorry” seems to diminish their authority and respect in the eyes of their children. This perspective can lead to misunderstandings and create distance, as an apology is not just a simple act but also carries a deeper meaning of understanding and connection.
When parents have the courage to admit their mistakes and apologize, children feel acknowledged and valued. A child who hears an apology feels loved and important, creating a sense of warmth and satisfaction.
When parents apologize to their children.
The absence of an apology can make children feel abandoned or disrespected. Conversely, when parents take the initiative to apologize, children feel understood and more inclined to forgive.
Good parents are those who are willing to say “Sorry” to their children, and loving children are those who respond with understanding and forgiveness, saying “It’s okay.”
Moments of tenderness between parents
Psychologically, children raised in harmonious families tend to develop confidence, optimism, and a positive outlook on life.
These values influence how children perceive themselves and interact with the world around them. Conversely, when parents don’t get along, family conflicts and tensions can have a negative impact on children’s physical and mental health, leading to feelings of insecurity and anxiety.
The family is supposed to be a source of safety and security for children. When a family is constantly in conflict, children lack a sense of stability and safety in their living environment.
Moments of tenderness between parents.
On the other hand, when parents demonstrate love and harmony, the home becomes a warm and empowering place, enabling children to develop more comprehensively.
Material wealth, no matter how valuable, cannot compare to the harmony between parents. That harmony is a treasure passed down from generation to generation within each family, and it is the most precious thing in the eyes of children.
When children grow up in a loving and harmonious family environment, they carry these values into their lives and build healthy, positive relationships.
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Raising a child is an art form that requires an array of skills and strategies to succeed. The time and effort invested by parents are immeasurable, and their dedication is a testament to their love and commitment. It takes a village to raise a child, and with the right tools and knowledge, parents can master the art of parenting and shape their children’s future.