How Often Do You Tell Your Children You Love Them on a Daily Basis?

Updated on October 22, 2011
J.F. asks from Bloomington, IN
58 answers

Is it daily? More than that?

Does it change the older they get?

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So What Happened?

I am like all of you. ALL the time, ALL day long. Never heard it growing up and I am like Jo W. I want the last words I say to my family to be I LOVE YOU! So refreshing to read your posts. THANK YOU. You all melted my heart to read that you love your babies so much.

Featured Answers

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Every time we part ways, like school, work, whatever. My older two any time I talk on the phone.

This may sound strange but it gives me peace that if something were to happen the last thing we said to each other is I love you. I do the same thing with my husband. :)

11 moms found this helpful
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T.L.

answers from Rochester on

I tell them every chance that I get! Anytime I say goodbye like at daycare drop off, I tell them. When I am happy for them or proud of something they do...I tell them. When I drop my daughter off at school or the bus stop, i tell her - even if there are other kids around. When I put them to bed at night I say to them "I love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond, forever and ever." Every.single.night. My 6 year old always says it back - my 2 year old always replies with "to the moon and back, Mamma."

6 moms found this helpful

A.A.

answers from Las Vegas on

I tell my kids daily. Many times a day lol
I never heard it when I was growing up so for me I tell them as much as I can:)

5 moms found this helpful

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M.N.

answers from Bloomington on

I tell my daughter SEVERAL times a day that I love her. She is 9 now and I have always told her several times a day that I love her and I probably always will.

You tell them that you love them when you wake them up in the morning, when they go to bed at night, when they leave for school in the morning, when you first see them again in the afternoon, anytime they leave the house and just any old random time that it feels right. :o) You can never ever tell a child that you love them too much.

My daughter may have to question a lot of things in her adventure in growing up, however, she will never have to question whether or not her parents love her unconditionally. :o)

6 moms found this helpful

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

A bunch of times through out the day. =)
As an adult, not living at home, my parents would say it whenever we spoke on the phone or I saw them. My dad especially.
You know how when your kids are little, and they say it and it makes you all giddy and your heart melts? My dad told me it doesn't matter how old your kids get (they're always going to be your babies), you still get the same feeling deep down. Atleast he did. =)

5 moms found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

Daily, yes. There isn't a certain number, I just tell him when I think of it.

I grew up in a family, where we didn't say I love you. My parents showed me their love daily, so I was never bothered by it. My husband grew up in a family that says I love you often. I kind of picked that up from him, I suppose.

4 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

Every chance I get! Can never say it or hear it enough.

4 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Dallas on

More times a day than i can count. The best part is not that they are talking I hear it back. My 2 year old doesnt speak much due to speech delays but one of the only times she can put a few words together is to say momma i love you. and my son 3 year old son wants to tell me and give me kisses everytime i drop him off at daycare or even if I am just going upstairs for a few minutes to put away laundry. SO SWEET

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C.1.

answers from Cincinnati on

I tell my son NUMEROUS times throughout the day that I love him. I never ever want him to doubt it. When I wake him in the mornings I always kiss his forehead and cheek and ask him "Can I love you forever?". And he sheepishly whispers "yeah". For me, you can never tell someone you love that you love them enough.

4 moms found this helpful
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A.W.

answers from Chicago on

Several times every day. Whenever we say good bye, when we say good morning and good night, and just randomly throughout the day. She says it randomly back to us too. LOL I may say it too much because now lots of times when I say "Hey El" she'll say "You love me". My husband and I say I love you randomly throughout the day too. Sometimes he calls me from work and before I can say anything he'll say "I love you. Bye" and hang up.

3 moms found this helpful

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Every chance I get...I rarely heard it from my mom as a kid...so I probably over compensate. Lots of hugs n kisses too!

3 moms found this helpful

C.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I tell my children at least 3 times each day. In the morning, evening, and at bed time. It has not changed with their age. I also call them endearing things like Lovey, Love bug, Lovable, etc. :)

3 moms found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

I tell my daughter all the time and she tells me too. I give her hugs and kisses whenever I can.

3 moms found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I tell them maybe 20 + times a day, lol!

3 moms found this helpful

✤.J.

answers from Dover on

As usual, ditto what Jo W said 100%

3 moms found this helpful

L.W.

answers from Dallas on

Jo W. took the words out of my mouth....well fingers in this case.

3 moms found this helpful

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Constantly!! Even if they're plucking my last nerve, I'll say 'PLEASE go ask your father, I'm way too busy right now, I LOVE YOU!!'...

I ALWAYS say it (even if I'm mad as hell) before they leave for school and before bed, ALWAYS.

3 moms found this helpful

⊱.H.

answers from Spokane on

I tell my kids multiple times a day ~ it's usually how I wake them in the morning "good morning, I love you". Every time I talk to them on the phone (they call me the days they are home with Dad), when I pick them up from Chapel and hug them and say "I missed you today ~ I love you", at night before bed I always ask "Did I tell you today that I love you"? And every time we say good-bye, like leaving for school or the store.
I say it a lot :)
I just look at my oldest with a certain smile and he says "I know Mom, you love me" :) makes my heart sing!!
I randomly text my SD with just an "I love you, baby girl". She lives a few states away and I don't talk to her daily, but do tell her pretty much every time I talk to her or chat via texting or IM'ing.

A few months ago I threw out a random "I love you" to my 3 y/o and he replied with "I love cookies" :) it was hilarious!

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A.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I've been telling my children since the day they were born that I love them several times a day. To be honest, it maybe more habit than emotion now that I think about how many times I actually say it. They hear it first thing in the morning, getting on the bus, during a mid-day snuggle, and a few times during bed time. They tell me they love me regularly too!

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H.M.

answers from Denver on

Constantly - probably at least 3 or 4 times a day. It's important for me to say it and for them to hear it - greatest gift a parent can give a child. :-)

2 moms found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from Tampa on

Many times per day. Every time I drop them off and pick them up from daycare/school. Every time I kiss them goodnight...a bunch of times in between.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.F.

answers from Cleveland on

Many times a day, even the baby. My oldest is only 3 so I don't know if it will change over time, but I hope not. My parents aren't like that, my mom says it every once in a GREAT while and my dad has never told me he loves me even though I know he does, it would be nice to hear it. My 3 year old has just started saying it out of the blue and that just makes my day!

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C.M.

answers from Hartford on

All the time. And my son tells me he loves me all the time. I say it whenever I feel like it and its always a part of our conversation "Son, I love you but you really need to stop kicking the back of my seat in the car" or eating popcorn and he accidentally dumps the whole shaker of salt in his bucket "I love you. Let me help you throw that out and get more popcorn".

He mostly tells me he loves me whenever he eats "Mommy, I LOVE hot coco. I love you too."

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L.S.

answers from Omaha on

I tell my daughter several times a day, and so does my husband. And she's the sweetest 4 y/o, she'll often tell me out of the blue that she loves me too. I'm pregnant with her brother/sister and she hugs my belly and tells me she love Baby too. She's a sweetie :)

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C.C.

answers from Dallas on

Every day, all day. :)

2 moms found this helpful
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B.M.

answers from Dallas on

Many times a day. Moreso lately because she started saying..."Luh Lou" back to me, so I say it more just to hear that!! :)

2 moms found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

every morning before they leave the house or car, before I hang up every phone conversation, before bed, Honestly my teenager hangs up every conversation with Love ya mom- even when surrounded by friends. My 8 year old gets it all the time he is probably sick of it.

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S.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

All throughout the day... I usually say "I love everything about you" and then smother them w/ kisses.
I also tell one "you makes my heart sing" and the other " you melt my heart"... b/c they do make me feel differently :)

2 moms found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

8, 6 & 3 yr olds and I probably tell them 2-3x a day.

I think the number goes down the older they get but I am 34 yrs old and my mom still tells me everytime we get off the phone :)

2 moms found this helpful

K.S.

answers from Mansfield on

I tell my little guy all the time that I love him. I didn't hear it much growing up so I make sure he knows that I do love him.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.O.

answers from Minneapolis on

My kids are 4 & 7 and I tell them I love them everyday. Every time I leave them or put them to bed and sometimes when they're upset or just when I feel like letting them know how I feel. I am 31 years old and still tell my parents I love them whenever I talk to them.

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K.C.

answers from Cleveland on

my daughter is 4, and I tell her I love her before she goes to bed. When she was younger, I would tell her I love her every hour.

1 mom found this helpful

K.G.

answers from Boca Raton on

I'm probably annoying, lol..
My son is 5 and I probably tell him 10-15 times per day lol... I kiss him all the time also.. I figure- soon he's going to not want to be around me, so I midas well get it all in now while he still loves me cuddling him...

1 mom found this helpful

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

My son is 15 and we both tell each other "I love you" several times a day.
We also text it to each other when ending a text conversation.
We also both seem to need good morning and good night hugs. :)
The words "I love you" have always been comfortable and frequently used our home.

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A.L.

answers from Chicago on

Whenever I feel like it, but at least twice a day. I always wake them up in the morning or when we drop them off at day care they always get an I love you. I also do it before bed every night.

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M..

answers from Youngstown on

I didn't hear 'I love you' much growing up. It was just not something that my parents said. So I say it all the time to my daughter. I bet I say it 100+ times a day. And I do love her, oh my, more than I ever thought it possible to love. Its all consuming.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.F.

answers from Kalamazoo on

All the time. And it still makes me melt when they say it to me. My little guys are really intrigued by space so they randomly come up with things like, "I love you bigger than infinity!" (my 4 year old at breakfast earlier this summer). After a rare afternoon with our babysitter, my almost two year old burst out with his first, "I love you, Mom!" when I walked in. Wow. I'm not a big crier, but tears were streaming down my face. Never gets old!

I often blurt out, "I love you, boys!" to my kids as we're walking together to the park, or reading together on the couch. The sweetest thing is hearing my little ones say it to each other. "Bye, bye! Love you!"

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G.T.

answers from Rochester on

All 5 of my kids are grown and married and all but one has kids of their own. But when they were growing up, I always told them I loved them. I made it a point to always hug them and say I love you when they left the house or came home, when they went to bed and got up in the morning. As well as during the day when ever the mode struck me. Which was often!

Now that they are not living at home anymore, every time I see them, we always hug and tell each other we love each other. When they call, we always say I love you before we say goodbye.

And never once have my kids said they didn't like it or asked me to not say it in front of any of their friends. If fact, many of their friends would tell me they wished their mothers would say it more often.

Funny thing happened one day when my son (30 years old) was leaving for vacation. I took him to the airport and as he was going thru security, he suddenly realized he had not said it to me before leaving me at the gate. So in a crowded airport, he suddenly turns around and yells, "I love you, mom!". It was so cute that just about everyone said, "Awww!".

1 mom found this helpful
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D.T.

answers from Muncie on

I've actually gotten the "Mom!! Let me go." I love kissing on her and sometimes I even get her to let me hold her like a baby in my arms, doesn't last long, she's gets a case of the wiggles.

I grew up hearing it and feeling it everyday. I make sure I tell them every chance I get.

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I don't know if it changes...mine is 8.5, but we both tell him everyday that "I love you".
Often I tell him I love him because he IS, not because of what he does or does not do. I tell him that every day.

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M.K.

answers from Columbus on

I just wanted to add my two cents... I'm like a lot of you moms on here and say it a lot to my two kids and they always say it back which really touches my heart! Especially at the end of phone calls - we always say it. When we're around their friends we have a little code word so if they're too embarrassed to say "Love you!" they'll just say our code word and I know what they mean. But we really haven't even used it too much and at 14 and 17 you'd think they would! lol!! Yep, I love my kids!!!

1 mom found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

I tell my husband and my boys (7 and 13) that I love them all the time throughout the day, and they tell me just as often. I also tell my brother and my parents every time I talk to them. :)

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B.W.

answers from Washington DC on

Like most, or all I think, so many times I can't even begin to count. I remember my dad dropping me off in front of the high school one day (back before the days of tinted windows) and I leaned over and kissed him goodbye and we exchanged I love yous. He called my Mom at work in disbelief that I would do that knowing my friends were all around walking into the school at the same time.

At 34, I still say it to my parents, my sister, In-laws, etc.! I don't ever want to be in a situation where something happens and my last words to them weren't "I love you" Have a great weekend!

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L.U.

answers from Seattle on

My parents rarely said it. It's kind of sad but I don' t remember any occasions growing up that they did. I have made it a point to not do that with my children.
I tell them ALL THE TIME. Can't get enough of it. When they wake up, off to school, bus pickup, cuddle time...whenever. I also do the sign language for "i love you" with my boys and when my baby is old enough I will with her too. I want them to know that they are loved.
L.

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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

ALLLLLL the time. Something that no one else mentioned though, I find that as they get older I have to try harder to make the time to say it. There are fewer of the snuggled up on the couch moments, they come and go more often and are more independent, which means not as readily available for me to just look over and see them and say I love them.

I also try to make sure that I tell them more often than just the normal times, like when they leave or are going to bed. Just like I still try to tell them they are wonderful and special, even if they are just sitting there playing a video game. I like that they never know when I'll pop up and have a kind word to remind them just how lucky I am to have them.

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R.P.

answers from Cleveland on

i tell my 2 yr old in the morning and at night every day and through out the day when she decides to be a little angel and cuddle with me for no reason

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D.S.

answers from Columbus on

Daily, several times a day, just because. Some times when I'm driving or just watching TV, I tell them. When they're off to school, before bed and any time they go out to play.

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S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

I don't think I could count how many times a day I say it to my toddler. I even go in his room while he is sleeping and whisper it to him.

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K.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

I've never counted- but a lot! I think I say it more now that they're older (and can talk), because half the time, they initiate it and say they love me first and then I tell them I love them too. My parents ALWAYS told me they loved me, so it comes naturally to me.

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M.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Often throughout the day. Our house is full of hugs,kisses,snuggling and I love yous. Even when they do something wrong I tell them I love you...my love is there when they make good or bad choices.

My kids are very affectionate so whenever they come up and kiss or hug me they say I love you...mine do it more as they get older. I am not sure if it is because they are at school and more independent so when we are together they are catching up for lost moments. But..my kids are 11,9 and 5 and they say it often to us...now I do wish they would say it more to each other...that would be nice. On rare occasion I will hear them exchange I love yous to each other and it makes a mamas heart melt to hear siblings loving on one another.

Good luck and best wishes for many days ahead full of "I love you Mom!"

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H.W.

answers from Albuquerque on

My daughter is 2. Her dad and I tell her we love her probably 15 times a day each, at least! :)

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Constantly!!! More than several times a day...I call them by so many pet names that people probably think I am nuts. I love hugging and kissing all three of my kids and told them that no matter how old they got to expect me to receive affection.

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L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Multiple times throughout the day, every day. Always in the mornings, at bed time, that kind of stuff, but also, lots of other times throughout the day... and that has remained consistent from the time he was a baby until the present... he's almost 6.

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C.P.

answers from Albuquerque on

I tell my girl too many times to count! I just love it when she tells me back! Sometimes she even grabs my face and whispers in my ear "I love you so much mama!" Brings a tear to my eye!
She is a very sweet and affectionate girl with all of her family and friends--gives teachers a hug first thing in the morning and when I pick her up at the end of the day!

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P.H.

answers from Dallas on

I tell my son as many times as I can! I know how precious he is and I want him to know that I love him more than anything else in this world!

1 mom found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

all day long.......both of them, i tell my unborn boy that right now

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S.F.

answers from Utica on

All the time all day long - she is only 22 months but I maul her all day and while she seems okay with it now Im sure she will soon tell me to get off of her and to stop smothering her so I am getting it all in now =0)
I could just eat her I love her so much

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J.L.

answers from Sacramento on

In the car on the way to daycare, on the drive home from daycare, in the car going anywhere (at least once, but sometimes more depending on the length of the trip), after each time out and discussion about why she was in time out, while cuddling on the couch after dinner and finally, bedtime. :-)

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