Moms Talk: Talking About Love

Each week the Mentor Patch Moms Council answers a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.

This week's question: We've talked about dating and sex, but we've never talked about love. What do you tell your children (and grandchildren) about love? What is it? How do you recognize it? What does it take to make it work?

Donna Milnes:

I tell my girls and grandkids that if you really love someone, you love them even when they make you mad or do something that you don’t like.

I may not like what you are doing or I am mad at you right now and we may argue, but I will always love you no matter what.

There is a great book for young children titled “I Love You Through and Through” by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak that lets children know you love them unconditionally.

Another of my favorite books is “I’ll Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch. It is good for older children and adults too. It still can make me cry, but it is a true story of love for everyone.

Devone Lansing:

We talk about how love is treating each other with respect and kindness. My older girls already talk about characteristics they want their future mates to have: kindness, funniness, love God, love dogs, etc.

I try to counteract the "happily ever after mentality" when they read or watch a fairy tale, though... I tell them that everyone has bad days and everyone fights sometimes -- even Cinderella and Prince Charming.

I don't want them to have unrealistic expectations about love and marriage, but I also want them to know it can be very fulfilling and rewarding.