Simple? Saying I love you is as simple as it gets.

“I love you to the moon and back” have been the special words I have spoken to my son since he was born. I have it written on an old blackboard, which I refuse to rub out and delete – they are special and I want us to read them over and over again.

I actually love him much more than that, yet to summarise it into one sentence, the words suit my purpose.

“I love you more than the stars in the universe” are also common words I say to my son and each time even if the smile these days doesn’t exactly stretch across his face, they mean the world to him.

I feel as a parent, it is very important to let our children know and feel loved and how much regularly. My son often had doubts and would query what a ‘family’ consists of.  He would have upsets regarding his father questioning why he would do certain things or act in a particular way that scared him, use the words he chose or promise things and never deliver.

My son had doubts and at times lacked loved for himself, and the one thing I did not want him to ever question was my love. It may have been words expressed through my voice, or words written on a post it note that he would find in his lunchbox, and now as he is older it is commonly found in a text and perhaps a message via social media. Whatever it is, he has always read somewhere that I love him.

I feel it is paramount as a parent to back up the words through action. It is known that often actions speak louder than words, yet what a powerful combination when we use both. We underestimate how intuitive our children are and what signs they pick up on even if we feel they have no idea…aha yet they do.

For me or should I say for my son, showing him my love could be by turning up to watch his school sports (although ideally I should have been in bed resting); becoming involved in his weekend sports through managing one team or becoming a trainer in the other (some say I’m crazy doing both); making sure I’m available for when he is ready to talk; trusting him with situations although you would rather keep him at home covered in cotton wool; allowing him his space although he knows you are near by or simply buying his favourite treats.

The list can go on as it could for all parents and it’s often the small things like it is when you’re an adult where the simple can speak volumes.

Saying “I love you” and backing it up is as simple as it gets – if you are not saying it today, perhaps you can say it tomorrow?!

Love & Light 🙂