“I Love You’. Three very easy words to say, no? Apparently in my house, it isn’t so easy.
My kids are super cuddly and very loving. But when it comes to saying the words I love you, it is harder for some than others.
My youngest, who is 4 years old, will tell us ALL OF THE TIME. He will say it randomly, no matter where we are or what we are doing. He will announce it to the world if he could, he’s that vocal about it!
But then there is my oldest. My 7 year old, who for whatever reason, just won’t tell me he loves me. He used too when he was little. In fact I think it was one of his first full sayings. We would say it every morning and every night before bed. No problem. But then, it stopped. I’m not exactly sure when he stopped telling me, but I can honestly say it has been A LONG TIME. Can you believe it? I don’t understand it, he doesn’t explain, he just won’t say it. I know he feels it, and I know its not because he doesn’t love me, but the words won’t exit his mouth.
Could it be because he’s a shy kid? It sometimes takes him a while to warm up to people, even to say hello to his grandparents when they come over. And saying goodbye is another thing…that takes an arm and a leg to make happen too.
He’s very loving. He’ll give me random hugs, wrap his arms around me, cuddle with me on the couch or in bed, snuggle and say “mama” like he did when he was smaller. It’s as if he wants to say it, but won’t. Is he embarrassed? Does he think its taboo to tell share feelings with his mom? Does he think that he’s too old to say I love you to his mother? God help me when he’s a teenager if he won’t tell me things now!!
Tell me I’m not alone 🙁
Even my husband says it doesn’t happen often…a few times where he’s jokingly asked “do you love me?” and he gets a “yes”. Even after my husbands accident in May he hasn’t really said it often.
Is there anything I can do to get him to tell me? I’ve bribed him (don’t judge you would too if all you wanted was to hear those 3 little words), I beg him, I will repeat myself over and over until he can’t stand hearing me anymore…“tell me you love me, tell me you love me, tell me you love me…”
Nothing works. So now it’s almost like a running joke in the family. And I guess I’ll let it go…for now. All I will say is, he better not tell his dad before me!
Do your kids say I love you? And if not, what do you do about it?
xo
D
