Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches! The stores are full of heart shaped candies, cards, stuffed animals, treat bags and much more! Love is just not for the month of February, it’s the feeling, action, and words that stick around for a lifetime. One of our life’s greatest joys and challenges has been teaching our kids to love one another in good times and bad!
Our sweet boy, our blonde sweet girl and our little love are all on the floor playing with one another, having great conversation and all of a sudden someone is not getting their own way and there is shouting, crying, and words tumbling out of mouths quicker than a bullet train….”well, if you don’t play my way I am not going to be your sister,and I won’t love you anymore.” Ouch, gotta stop cooking dinner and address that one….”Tell your sister you are sorry. Think before you speak..Your words have power. Give her a hug.”
This scenario has played out countless times in our home. I smile as I write this but in the moment it’s not so cute.So how do we teach our kids to show love to one another? We turn to the place that has been our life’s compass..the bible! In I Corinthians 13 it talks a lot about love and we use that as a guide to help teach our kids what it is like to love each another which in turns spills out beyond the walls of our home to loving others.
My hubby and I desire to lay a firm foundation for our kids to maintain healthy, life long relationships with each other that will be lasting!
When our kids are fighting over a toy or begin making demands of each other we teach them that love is patient. Take a deep breath and allow your brother or sister a chance to give back the toy or answer you before you get upset.
When our kids speak hurtful words to one another, we tell them that their words have the power to help or hurt. Think before you speak because love is kind.
When something great happens in our home we celebrate it, and sometimes it causes the little one not being celebrated to feel sad or angry because they are not being notice. We tell them to be happy for each other and to show their excitement because one day soon they too may have an accomplishment to celebrate. Celebrate one another because love is not jealous.
When our kids get or do something special we encourage them to talk about it excitedly but don’t rub it in or make the others feel they were left out because love does not boast.
Saying your sorry is not always easy but when you have hurt someone it’s necessary. We ask our kids to say sorry and ask for forgiveness when they have hurt each others feelings, and we ask that the person they hurt forgive them because love keeps no record of wrongs.
Our sweet boy, our blonde sweet girl and our little love remember we always love you and we are so very proud of the amazing kids you are growing up to be. We love that you are best friends and that you truly enjoy being together, and caring for each other, always give hugs and always remember that Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
Love, Mom & Dad
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