I used to think that all parents loved their child unconditionally, but after spending several years working with families, I’m not so sure that’s true.
I’ve met parents who love their kids, but only when they’re behaving well. I’ve met parents who love their kids, but only if they’re meeting their expectations. And I’ve met parents who love their kids, but only if they’re making them look good.
I’m not saying that these parents don’t love their children. I’m just saying that their love is conditional. And conditional love is not the same as unconditional love.
Unconditional love is love that is not dependent on anything. It’s love that accepts the child for who they are, not for who they could be or who they should be.
Conditional love is love that is based on certain conditions. If the child meets those conditions, they get love. If they don’t, they don’t.
So, what’s the difference between conditional and unconditional love?
Conditional love can have a devastating impact on a child’s development. It can lead to:
If you’re not sure whether you’re giving your child unconditional love, ask yourself these questions:
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then you may need to work on developing unconditional love for your child. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.
Unconditional love is the best gift you can give your child. It will help them to grow up to be happy, healthy, and successful adults.