You wait for your child to hug you and say those three words, but instead he silently shoves a drawing into your hand or asks you to play with it.
Many parents worry that their children are not emotional enough, not realizing that love in the world of children manifests itself differently.
It hides in little things, gestures, rituals that adults often don’t notice.
Children, especially young ones, do not yet know how to express feelings in words.
But they give you their “treasures” - a pebble from a walk, a plasticine craft, a twig found on the street.
For them, these are not just trinkets, but symbols of trust. They want to share with you what is valuable to them.
Another sign of affection is the desire for physical contact.
A child may hang on you, tug at your hand, or climb into your bed at night. This is not a whim, but an attempt to be closer when words are not enough.
Teenagers are masters of disguise. Their “I love you” is a funny meme sent to a chat, or help with setting up an application without asking unnecessary questions.
They are afraid of looking sentimental, so they express their care through actions. Your task is to learn to see these signs and respond in their language.
For example, instead of asking, “Why don’t you tell me anything?” suggest watching a TV series or playing a game together.
Sometimes silent presence means more than talking.
Author: Igor Zur