When you think of the word LOVE in regards to your children, what comes to mind?
When I think of my son, I love his stubborn yet playful personality. I love how smart he is and his capacity for learning new things. I love that after every time-out he runs to give me a hug with tear-filled eyes. I love his curly blond hair. I love every aspect of him.
These feelings of affection for my child are an example of LOVE expressed as a noun. But what about LOVE as a verb? Most parents actively love their children by feeding them, giving them affection, and playing with them. I don't know about you, but I never explicitly thought of love as a verb when caring for my child. It was simply innate. Something that you did without question, hesitation, or thought.
LOVE as a verb means:
- feeding your child regularly and trying to get as many wholesome foods into their systems as possible
- taking your kids out of the pack and play (stroller, car seat, high-chair, -insert immobile baby holding device here-) and allowing them to explore and exercise
- holding a baby while giving them a bottle!!!
- bathing your children
- sitting beside them as they play
- interacting and playing with them
- making sure that your child feels secure and confident in your home
- ensuring that your child is comfortable - temperature, clothing, environment, etc
I've learned a little something about LOVE in the last few days as a foster mom. When loving a child, it is not enough express love as affection. To have a healthy and happy child, love must also be expressed as a verb.
I'm still in shock over the state of our foster child. One of our case workers told us that his parents loved him.
Our definitions of LOVE must be very different.
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