30 Ways to Tell Your Kids [I Love You] (2024)

The Intentional Mom Planning System is where you need to start with our incredible collection of product options. It will help you establish the basics for your life & home so you’ll finally have a plan, save yourself time, and go to bed feeling like you accomplished something every day (because you did). Save up to 60% HERE!

In a world where kids are bombarded with negativity from around every corner, as a parent you can do so much to overcome that. With so many negative voices that tell your kids they don’t measure up, they aren’t good enough, they’re too (fat, thin, stupid, sensitive…), as their parent you can make sure they know they will always have your unconditional love and support. “How can I tell my child I love them?” If you find yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. Words of affirmation are one super powerful and creative way you can make your child feel loved. As a mom of 9, I’ve come up with some pretty creative ways to tell your kids, “I love you.” And, there are some pretty simple steps you’ll want to make sure you follow so your kid will not just know they are loved but feel they are loved, too.

Yay! We have the list of ways to tell your kids you love them in printed form. Download it, print it off, and choose a new phrase every day! Just tell us where to send your list!

[convertkit form=1245356]

Get on their level

Look your child in the eye, especially when you want them to really hear you. The eyes are the windows to the soul, they say, and I think they are right. This means you’ll need to be on a level where you can see their eyes. With 9 kids from 19 down to 2, I know just how much better kids listen when you talk to them on their level.

Look them in the eye as you tell your child you love them

As mentioned above, true communication is much more than words. Your eyes will show your child the true emotion you have in your heart. When you look your child in their eye, they will feel your love.

It’s even important to look your child in the eye when you need to reprimand them or explain things to them in a way they will understand.

Looking someone in the eye is the best way to communicate with anyone.

Use a calm voice

This one goes without saying, but even if you’re feeling awkward, stressed, or frustrated, your kids will hear you better when you speak in a calm and gentle voice.

Take their hands

Healthy physical touch takes what you say to a deeper level. There’s a connection that happens when you take your child’s hand in yours. Even with teens, taking the time to just take their hand for a moment as you affirm them is so worth any awkward feeling you may have. And, it does wonders for filling your soul, too.

Smile

There is nothing more calming than a genuine and warm smile. A true and genuine smile can put your child at ease and make them forget about the trials of their day.

Tune out your surroundings

Tune out your surroundings so you can truly just focus on your child and this moment. With a house full of 11 people there is no shortage of noise and craziness much of the time. But, when I want to make sure my child hears me I make sure we’re in a quieter place so we can just focus on one another.

Use a natural follow-up

When using words of affirmation to tell your kids you love them, follow those words up with something that feels natural and makes sense.

For instance, you might say:

  • I just wanted you to know
  • Thanks for listening
  • That will never change
  • I don’t tell you these things enough
  • I need to make telling you these things more of a habit

Choose one of these or come up with one that feels better to you. But, anytime you use affirming words with your kids, choose a relevant follow-up that brings the conversation to a close.

Have a variety of affirming words on hand

Having some things in mind ahead of time makes it much easier to just say them. This is exactly why we created the list of affirming words you can print right off.

30 Ways to Tell Your Kids [I Love You] (2)

They are perfect for all ages, and it takes the guesswork out of knowing what to say.

Make sharing words of affirmation a regular thing with your kids

Life is busy. It’s so easy to take things for granted – including the people in your life. And, let’s face it, sometimes our kids don’t seem so lovable.

But, one of the most important things you can do as a parent is make sure that your kids know you love them all the time, no matter what, and both now and in the future.

Sharing words of affirmation with your kids is a simple yet powerful way to do this.

You can’t protect your child from all the negativity they likely experience every day. Things like bullying, cyber bullying, the constant comparison of social media posts, unattainable expectations, and more are just part of the world your kids are growing up in.

But, you can be their protection from all of that. You can be sure they know they are loved – by you all the time.

Share these words of love with your kids today!

Looking for more on how to talk to your kids? Try these:

Words of Affirmation to Share With Your Kids

How to Talk To Your Kids So They’ll Listen

Related

30 Ways to Tell Your Kids [I Love You] (2024)

FAQs

How do you say I love you to your children? ›

I love you to the moon, the stars, the sky and back. I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living my baby you'll be. I love you with a smile, a laugh, a warm look, or my gentle words... but always with my whole heart.

How do you tell a kid I love you? ›

Parents can still demonstrate their love with small gestures. Morin suggests parents write notes and put it in their lunch, offer praise, give high fives, and say kind things about your kids in front of other people. "Your actions speak volumes about how much you care for them," she insists.

How do I express my love to my children? ›

19 easy ways to show kids you love them
  1. Tell them you love them. ...
  2. Ask them about their day. ...
  3. Give them your undivided attention. ...
  4. Give praise when praise is due. ...
  5. Say “you” more. ...
  6. Remind them of their strengths. ...
  7. Spend more quality together. ...
  8. Laugh with them.
Sep 4, 2021

How do I make my child feel loved and valued? ›

How to Help Kids Feel Loved and Lovable
  1. 1 Correct with love. Children look to their caregivers for reassurance that they are valued and valuable. ...
  2. 2 Notice children's efforts. Children feel cared for when adults pay attention to the little ways they are growing and learning. ...
  3. 3 Write love notes. ...
  4. 4 Be there.
Feb 22, 2022

What is cold mother syndrome? ›

Cold mother syndrome refers to a parenting style characterized by emotional distance, dismissiveness, and rejection. This type of mothering is often accompanied by a lack of emotional availability and neglect of a child's emotional needs.

How do you say I love you in a cute way? ›

99 ways to say “I love you” with words:
  1. I adore you. You're the one for me. I value you. ...
  2. My love for you can never fade. You've touched my heart in ways I can't describe. I love you more than words can ever express. ...
  3. My heart aches for you. I yearn for you every minute of every day. You're my dream.

When should kids say I love you? ›

At age 3 or 4, many children are stringing together short sentences. That means they may even begin to express their love for you with actual words and phrases. You might hear "I love you, Mommy" or "Your skin is so soft" or even "I want to marry you and be together forever." They all mean the same thing.

Should I tell my kids I love them? ›

🌟 As a parent, there are few things more important than letting your children know how much you love and appreciate them. 💕 It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind of work, chores, and errands, but taking just a few minutes each day to express your love can make a huge difference in your child's life.

How do I express my love to my daughter? ›

How do I express my love to my daughter?
  1. “You were the best thing to ever happen to me, and I will love you forever.”
  2. “I'm so excited to watch you achieve your dreams.”
  3. “I will always be there for you, no matter what happens.”
Jan 25, 2024

Why does my child constantly say I love you? ›

Why does my child say “I love you” all the time? Possibly because they are just full of love! But equally possible, your child may be seeking reassurance and wants to hear you say “I love you” right back! The best thing you can do whenever your child says “I love you” is to tell them you love them!

Can I call my daughter my love? ›

Answer: To be brutally honest with you I see nothing wrong with using a term of endearment with your daughter. Fathers continue to use terms like that with their daughters well into their adulthood.

How do you know if a child feels unloved? ›

Beyond typical childhood fears, an unloved child may develop intense and irrational phobias. These fears could be a subconscious manifestation of a deep-seated need for emotional security.

How do I show my son I love him? ›

14 Ways to Show Your Child Love: Valentine's Day & Every Day
  1. Cue the Cuddles. ...
  2. Share the Love of Reading. ...
  3. Think Hugs First. ...
  4. Discipline With Love. ...
  5. Hold Time Together Dear. ...
  6. Embrace Health & Safety. ...
  7. Choose Words with Care. ...
  8. Forgive Mistakes, Including Your Own.
Jan 31, 2024

What happens when a child feels loved? ›

Children who feel loved and accepted by their parents have better relationships not only with their family but also with peers. In contrast, children who feel rejected by their parents have worse social, emotional, and behavioral adjustment, even into adulthood.

Should you say I love you to your kids? ›

It gives them someone to trust.

When kids know they are loved, they know they have someone to trust. Oh sure, not every piece of advice we'll give them throughout life is going to the best advice. But they can rest confident knowing that we will always give it our best shot with their best interests in mind.

Can you say I love you to your kids too much? ›

Yes, you can love something too much, and it does harm. Children are no different. Children need nurture to flourish, but too much nurture can become over-nurture, and over-nurturing becomes childhood overindulgence.

How can you say the mother loved her children? ›

She spends every second around her child for fulfilling his all needs. Since childhood our mother keeps telling us what is wrong and what is right in manner to build us as a good human being and also encourage us to do good things in life. She loves and cares us without any personal greed.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 5861

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.