“Before your children came, they were told you would love them.
So whatever you do, however you treat them, to them, it is love.
If you are cruel to them, they will think it is love.
If you yell at them, they will think it is love.
If you ignore them, they will think it is love.
If you walk away from them, they will think it is love.
And if you are kind to them, they will think it is love.
And if you are gentle with them, they will think it is love.
And if you listen to them, they will think it is love.
And if you hold them tightly, they will think it is love.
Because we cannot point to anything that exists and say, ‘This is love.’ So you will teach your kids every day they’re with you what it is.
And one day, when someone else treats them the way you treated them, they will say, ‘This is love.’
So teach them well.
No matter what you were taught yourself.”
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Iain S. Thomas. You can follow his journey on Facebook, Instagram, and his website. You can purchase Iain’s book, ‘The Truth of You: Poetry About Love, Life, Joy, and Sadness’ here. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.
Read more parenting stories here:
Let Them Feel The Love They So Fiercely Reflect Back To You — Let Them Be Little
It’s Okay To Not Want To Be A Mom Some Days—You Are Not A Monster
To The New Mom, Staring At Another Positive Pregnancy Test
SHARE this story on Facebook to remind others to love what matters most.