Love Language

 

I recently have been reading up on love languages. I learned how important it is to know not only your love language but also what your children's love language is; how they receive love and how they show love.  I think as mom's we all kind of know what are children's characteristics are but zooming in on those really goes a long way. I included some information below that is pretty interesting. 

Pictured above is my middle child Brock and I when we got home from yard sale'n one morning. If you look in the trunk we had a Lincoln log set, aqua doodle, Elmo couch, play hair dryer, shovel, and a few other things that we had bought for less than $5. Brock receives love by spending quality time with him so he absolutely loves waking me up early Saturday morning so just him and I can go yard saleing. He always picks out what his goal for the day is and it's always something for someone else. Brock gives love by acts of service and giving gifts. Recently he said " I want to get Bethany (his sister) a tv so we rode around until he found his sister a tv. We got a 19" tv for $10 and he was excited. The look on his face when he hauls in his "finds" on Saturday morning and starts passing them out to his family is absolutely priceless! My oldest's love language is recieving gifts so he loves it when little brother comes in with "gifts" for him. Bethany, our youngest and only girl, recieves love by physical touch so as long and Brock hugs her when comes through the door she's good.

The 5 types of love languages are:

Some information used from :Communicating in Your Child's Love Language By Wayne Parker, About.com Guide

Words of Affirmation: In this language, people need to hear compliments; to be “stroked” by the words of others.
Quality Time: People who hear love by quality time know they are loved when people spend time with them—listening, walking, talking, going on trips.
Physical Touch: People who hear love in this way need to be touched; hugged, sitting close together, back rubs, and such.
Receiving Gifts: People who speak this love language need to receive thoughtful and personal gifts—not necessarily expensive, but individual.
Acts of Service: With this love language, people hear love through others giving them acts of service—making the bed, cleaning the bathroom, doing a chore that they dislike.

If your child has Words of Affirmation as his primary love language, criticism cuts deep. If you need to correct him, be specific as to what you want him or her to change, but make sure you include positive and loving words. Compliment your child often; find opportunities to say positive things to him and about him to others.
For those children who hear love through Quality Time, there is no good alternative to spending time together. Go on a walk, to the gym, or on a car ride. When she asks you to take her somewhere or come see something she has been working on, make the effort to do it and make it a priority.
Children who receive love through Physical Touch will appreciate cuddle time—maybe a story, singing songs together, or just sitting close watching a movie or playing a game. Boys who appreciate physical touch will enjoy a little wrestling match. When they get a little older, the same physical approaches may not work or may be uncomfortable. But an occasional hug, a touch on their shoulder or arm, or a pat on the back will be appropriate.
If your child receives love through Receiving Gifts, consider the occasional card, a balloon bouquet left at a school locker or putting a treat in their school backpack. Make sure you express your love verbally or in writing with the gift. This can be overdone and thus become meaningless; but remembering his or her love language with occasional and personal gifts will create good loving experiences.
Children who have Acts of Service as a love language will best appreciate your doing little things for them. If they dislike doing the dishes, get up and do the dishes, and tell her that you love her while you do it. If she has a special interest, learn more about it so you can participate with her. Anything that is a sacrifice of time on your part will be a loving message.

So what is your child's love language?