I have heard Marcia, along with a handful of other friends,
talk about the “Five Love Languages” concept for the past couple of years. I can name the five languages, and I have a
basic understanding of the theory behind it, but I’ve never read the book.
A few months ago, Marcia blogged about “The Five LoveLanguages of Children”. I made a mental
note of the book, but I didn’t rush out to buy it, again thinking I understood
the basic concept already.
Over the past few weeks, though, I’ve had a few experiences
that made me question if there was more I could learn about how to really speak
to my girls’ needs.
We were visiting family over the Christmas holidays. We had had a full morning…leaving my dad’s
house early to meet my BFF and her wee one for pastries…then driving to GG’s
house, where we were met with lots and lots of open arms and a huge spread of
presents. I knew it had the potential to
be “sensory overload” for the girls…but that’s part of the holidays, right?
Everyone was doing pretty well, until we sat down to eat
lunch. I tried to get the girls to eat
in the dining room together, but Baby B really wanted to sit with me in the
kitchen. No problem, right? But that somehow seemed to be a tipping point
for her. When we sat down at the table,
her chin started to quiver, her eyes welled up, and she started to
sniffle. She just couldn’t pull herself
together. I picked her up and took her
into a back bedroom. She was clinging to
me and repeating, over and over, “I love you, Mommy…I love you, Mommy…I love
you, Mommy.”
She eventually calmed down after we had some one-on-one time
together, but that exchange just broke my heart.
A couple of weeks later, we had our twin friends M&C
over for a few hours while their mom was at an appointment. The kids all played beautifully together…at
first, anyway. At some point there were
three kids playing beautifully together, while B was getting into mischief.
She’s not usually a mischievous kid, but I felt very clearly
like it was a plea for attention.
I can cite a couple of different examples with Baby A, where I just knew there was something deeper at play.
I bought “The Five Love Languages for Children” book, and I
started reading it yesterday. I’m only a
couple of chapters in, so I can’t say I’ve had any light bulb moments just yet,
but I’ve got to believe there’s something to the theory…that there’s something
I can do to better address my girls’ needs, especially in new and different
situations.
To be continued. :)
8 comments:
I know I have to read it, but also just have not gone that far yet.
I didn't know there was a kids' version. I've read/taken a couple's class on the adult one. Making a note to check it out!
I will have to look into that book! Thanks!!
I too just saw that there was a kids version, on Pinterest of all places! LOVED the adult one and thought it was dead on, I must pick up the new version! Can't wait to read the continuaton of this story!
Thanks for the shout-out - I am passionate about the 5 love languages.
HEY - I'm accredited - I need to schedule my first one and just do it :)
PS I can't wait to read part 2.
I'd love to know if it sheds any new light on parent-child relationships for you. As my girls mature, I'm beginning to see the gaps brought about by the differences in mine & their personalities. I'd love to read this book if it'll help
I am going to have to read this.
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