Wellbeing

Fathering Project 

Unconditional Love - "Tell them you love them and do it often"

About this Topic

Unconditional love is when your children know they are loved not because of what they do or don’t do. It is not based on their performance, marks at school, what they look like or what they are good at, but that you love them no matter what.

It is often said, “the time our children will need our love the most will often be the time it is hardest to give it to them. Even when your children have behaved badly you should tell them “I love you, but I really don’t like that behaviour”. 

Why is Unconditional Love Important? 

A Father’s love has lasting effects into adulthood and these close parent relationships are the biggest influence on your child’s development.  From the moment they are born, bonding with us helps our children learn that their world is safe and secure and that they are loved. Children who have the security of unconditional love are more likely to have higher self-esteem and resilience as teenagers and become more successful, well-adjusted adults. 

Top Tips

• Tell them they are loved simply because they are your child. Not because of what they do or don’t do. 
• Your love needs to be unconditional even when you disagree. During a disagreement, it is especially important for your child to know you will still love them. 
• Even when they have behaved badly, tell them you love them but that you don’t like their behaviour and you won’t put up with it. 
• Set a goal to never end the day without letting your child know they are loved. 
• Surprise them sometimes by telling them when they don’t expect it.  
• Write how you feel in cards, notes, emails and text messages for them. 

Ask yourself 

• Do I make sure my child knows I love him/her? 
• How often do I say I love you to my child? 
• Do I deliberately find different ways to show my child I love him/her? 
• Did my love get through to my child today in a way he/she understood? 
• Did I hug my child and say, “I love you”? 

Takeaway Action 

In the coming weeks make a deliberate effort to find opportunities and ways to tell and show your children that you love them.

Dogs Connect Program 

Please see below some frequently asked questions for the Dogs Connect program.

Kind regards,

Andrew Edmondson, Jenni Forder and Brett Middleton

Wellbeing Team