How To We Teach A Child About Love

A Thing You Cannot Point At

Before your children came,
they were told that 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 neglect 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
at anything that exists as say,

“This is love,”

so you will teach your children
every day they are 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.

-Iain S. Thomas
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