Parents do loving things for their children and assume that their children know they love them but it is so important to say it in words and let them hear it. Loving feelings and loving behaviours are great ways of showing someone how you feel but loving words are a great way of expressing it.

If you find it hard to say "I Love You" and those words just won't come, try these helpful tips: Write a note to your son/daughter and hide it in their lunch bag or under their pillow at night so they find it in the morning. Practice on your pet and get used to saying these words so they become familiar. Practice on yourself, look in the mirror and say "I Love You", the ability to love, appreciate and care for yourself is essential to having a healthy and loving relationship with your child. It's also a great way to affirm that you are a loving person, make yourself feel good! Overcoming any fears of rejection will happen as you see the positive response from your children. Age, may determine how they respond, but this is just age specific so say it anyhow.

Say it often. It's not like going to the doctors once a year or twice a year to the dentist. Communicate your love daily! These three words are simple and are a complete sentence!

Mean It. Don't make it a condition of your caring. Telling your child that you love them because they helped with the dishes could be giving the message that your love for them is because of their behaviour. You would love them anyway, be proud and happy of their accomplishments and express that but don't make them feel that they have to perform well for you to communicate that you love them. Deal with the behaviour of your child good or bad but do not tie that in with your feelings for your son or daughter.

Do not use the word "but" when saying "I Love You" as this could be very confusing and puts conditions on your feelings. Say it because you mean it, let it feel good to say it. Although, hearing these three words repeated back to you is rewarding, don't make it an expectation. Children learn by modelling, give them time if they are not used to saying it, hearing it as a natural, feeling response is so much more rewarding that having it said as a way to avoid feeling guilty or avoiding a conflict.

"I Love You" is a powerful statement, use it wisely and use it often!