WHAT DOES LOVE MEAN TO A CHILD?

By: Dr. Shanjay Shah

            What does loving a child mean?  Its definitely not just bringing a child to life and its much more than just providing for one.

            Love means holding hands when there is hurt.  Love means being there to hold hands when a child learns to walk but also trusting his/her independence enough to let go.  Love is being able to spend time together unconditionally. 

            Love does not mean showering a child with gifts, buying the latest sneaker or cool clothes.  It means being there at his/her games, accepting him/her even if he/she strikes out.

            Love means crying and laughing together.  Love means sharing your own faults so she knows you are not perfect.

            Love is to let him/her know that he/she doesn’t need to be handsome and tall to be loved and that he/she doesn’t need to be smart to be successful.  It is to let him/her know that life is hard and hard work pays.

            Love is to love your spouse in spite of his/her faults and to do whatever to make your marriage work so that your child has both parents.  It is to love and respect his/her grandparents because you will become one some day.

            Love is to condemn their bad behavior but not reject them as a person.  It is giving guidance when it is needed and keeping your mouth shut when she/he needs to sort out her/his own problems.  Love is to accept their friends as they are and to cancel an important meeting just to be with them.

            Love is to introduce them to good reading because reading is to the brain what food is to the body.  It is to teach them not to be dazzled by “big personalities” but giving them guidance and confidence to become one.  It is to let them know that you believe in them.

            Love is to teach them that being honest and generous is a virtue and that humanity is the greatest religion.  It is to teach them that it doesn’t matter if you don’t win but it does matter if you didn’t give it your best shot.

            Do I love my children to the perfection that I have preached?  Probably not, but I sure do give it my best shot.