Almost all parents love their children, but not all children feel loved.

Almost all parents love their children, but not all children feel loved.

Doctor Gary Chapman with a love language minute.

Doctor Gary Chapman with a love language minute.

Often the difference lies in the way parents talk to their children. Words of affirmation, praise and encouragement communicate I love you. They fall like gentle rain on the soul of the child. They nurture the child's inner sense of worth and security. Conversely, cutting words spoken out of anger can hurt a child's self-esteem and create doubts about his abilities. Children think we deeply believe what we say. The Hebrew proverb did not overstate the reality when it said, the tongue has the power of life and death. Words are spoken quickly but are not soon forgotten. A child reaps the benefits of affirming words for a lifetime.

Often the difference lies in the way parents talk to their children. Words of affirmation, praise and encouragement communicate I love you. They fall like gentle rain on the soul of the child. They nurture the child's inner sense of worth and security. Conversely, cutting words spoken out of anger can hurt a child's self-esteem and create doubts about his abilities. Children think we deeply believe what we say. The Hebrew proverb did not overstate the reality when it said, the tongue has the power of life and death. Words are spoken quickly but are not soon forgotten. A child reaps the benefits of affirming words for a lifetime.

Doctor Gary Chapman is the author of The Five Love Languages. For more, visit five Love Languages. Com.

Doctor Gary Chapman is the author of The Five Love Languages. For more, visit five Love Languages. Com.