February is the month of love and thus the perfect time to remind your family that to love one another unconditionally is the greatest gift to our world today. And my gift to you is some tried and true words to inspire love in your home. After all, one of the world’s greatest philanthropists, Mother Teresa, is attributed to say:
If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.
I think she’s right. Think about it, if we can raise tiny humans to love their annoying little brother or sister unconditionally then they can love anyone in the world. But how to we teach our children to love unconditionally? I think it is two fold: 1) Model it with your actions 2) Inspire it with beautiful words.
Model love with your actions
One simple way to model unconditional love to your family is to apologize and ask for forgiveness when you make a mistake. This simple act will free your children’s hearts to realize that they can apologize and ask for forgiveness when they make mistakes!
I love you I like you just the way you are
-our house
Recently, I blew it and had to apologize and ask my children for forgiveness and a miraculous thing happened. Our 3 year old walked up to me and said “I love you I like you just the way you are!” Yes, the tears were flowing that day. See, over three years ago I started using that phrase with two specific children who expertly get under each others skin. During jovial times I would have them hold each other’s face with their palms and take turns saying “I love you I like you just the way you are”. Then during not so jovial times I would have them do it again. It’s helped melt many frustrated sibling hearts. And that morning I blew it, hearing my three year old say it to ME, helped soothe my guilty mama heart.
Inspire love with beautiful words
Here are some of my favorite words to inspire love in your home. Poems are the best. Find a poem about love or friendship to memorize with your children this month! We have four chosen for this month that are about love, respect, and siblings. It truly helps our children to have these beautiful words tucked into their hearts to pull out when they are feeling frustrated with one another. I often quote aloud the following poem when we have quarrels and my children are smirking and hugging by the end. It’s our favorite.
What ever brawls are in the street
There should be peace at home;
Where sisters dwell and brothers meet
Quarrels shou’d never come.
Birds in their little nests agree;
And `tis a shameful sight,
When children of one family
Fall out, and chide, and fight.
…
Pardon, O Lord, our childish rage;
Our little brawls remove;
That as we grow to riper age,
Our hearts may all be love.
~Isaac Watts
Love is the greatest. Love always remains. Yet, it’s our choice. Choose to inspire love in your home this month. I’d love to hear your favorite inspiring words tag me on IG @livvyroberts
