Valentine’s Day Highlights Romantic Love, but How Do We Teach TRUE Love?
Valentine’s Day is a time when hearts, chocolates, and love notes take center stage, emphasizing romantic love. But as parents and caregivers, we have a much greater responsibility—to teach our children what true love really is.
Defining True Love and Empathy
True love goes beyond the affection shared between couples. It is rooted in empathy, kindness, and respect for our family, friends, and fellow human beings—regardless of differences. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It is what allows us to treat others with kindness, even when we don’t share the same experiences, backgrounds, or beliefs.
This form of love is the foundation of strong, healthy relationships with siblings, extended family, friends, and even strangers. When children learn to see and honor the humanity in others, they develop the compassion and emotional intelligence that will shape them into loving and respectful individuals.
How Do We Teach Children True Love and Empathy?
As parents and caregivers, we model the behaviors that shape our children’s understanding of love, respect, and compassion. The way we think, speak, and act—both at home and in public—directly influences how our children perceive and treat others.
- Model Kindness and Respect
Children learn from what they see and hear. When we treat others with kindness—whether it’s the cashier at the grocery store, a neighbor, or a stranger—we show them that love extends beyond family bonds.
Ask yourself:
- Do I speak kindly about people who are different from me?
- Do I treat those in service roles with respect?
- Do I encourage my child to show gratitude and appreciation for others?
2. Encourage Open-Minded Conversations
Children are naturally curious. They will ask questions about differences in race, culture, religion, disabilities, and even family structures. Instead of dismissing their questions or making them feel uncomfortable, use these moments to teach acceptance and understanding.
Try this:
- If your child asks why a classmate eats different foods, celebrate cultural diversity by exploring and learning about different cuisines together.
- If they ask why someone looks or speaks differently, explain that everyone is unique, and our differences make the world more beautiful.
- Use books and stories that showcase diverse characters and perspectives to help broaden their understanding of the world.
3. Teach the Power of Words
Children struggle to differentiate between fact, opinion, and speculation. What they hear at home can easily be repeated in school, at daycare, or in social settings—sometimes out of context, unintentionally causing harm to others.
In light of the political climate and drastic changes happening in our country every day, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of how we speak about people who may be different from us.
Our words have the power to:
💔 Create division and exclusion or
💖 Build understanding and connection
When we make negative or dismissive remarks about others, we unknowingly pass down biases that can shape how our children treat their classmates, teachers, and even their friends.
4. Promote Acts of Kindness
Encourage children to express love beyond just words. Simple acts of kindness help them practice true love in action:
- Helping a sibling clean up a mess
- Writing a kind note to a friend
- Donating toys or clothes to children in need
- Standing up for a classmate who is being treated unfairly
By making love an action rather than just a feeling, children will understand the true meaning of love and empathy.
Love is more than just a Valentine’s Day tradition—it is a lifelong lesson we teach our children through our daily actions. As parents and caregivers, let’s be intentional about how we model empathy, respect, and kindness, ensuring that our children grow into individuals who embrace love in its purest, most compassionate form.
Because true love isn’t just about who we love—it’s about how we love everyone around us. 💖
