“We all want to give our children good things and many of us are able to do more for our children than our parents were able to do. Overindulging is never good and, in general, unless your child’s language is receiving gifts, buying things will not meet emotional needs.  If you give gifts that are seldom played with or taken care of, and you don’t often hear “thank you”, this may not be your child’s love language. If your child responds by lighting up, thanking you over and over, showing the gift off, and treating it as special you may have hit on her primary love language. It does not have to be expensive or elaborate; it is “the thought that counts”. Your child delights in receiving.”

“But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied…”  Philippians 4:18

This was a great revelation for me. I have certainly thought my kids or grandkids “ungrateful” or “thoughtless”. I am not discounting the importance of social graces and thanking someone for a gift given, however this is powerful insight if you have a child in the first category! Perhaps you have a child who likes to give more than to receive.

“Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering (to the Lord) with a whole heart…”   1Chronicles 29:9

Observe your kids over time – as they go to birthday parties, as holidays roll around, when opportunities to be generous come up. They are giving you lots of great information about where they fall out in this love language.

Family Night by the Book speaks of both giving and receiving. Engage in these wonderful lessons with your family and learn new things about each other.

Blessings,

Beth and Dr. Ron