(pictured above are my four different-language-speaking children!)
I’m not talking about English, Spanish, French, or Chinese. What I’m speaking of is love languages.
Over the years I have studied and learned what my husband and each of my children’s love languages are. As we know, learning to speak ones language can make all the difference when communicating with one another.
In the book “The 5 Love Languages” written by Dr. Gary Chapman, he focuses on 5 different languages of love. They are as follows:
1. Quality Time
2. Words of Affirmation
3. Gifts
4. Acts of Service
5. Physical Touch
They are fairly self-explanatory as far as what defines each one. To learn more about each love language, I highly recommend reading the entire book, and then keeping it handy for years to come. This is one of the few books that I have kept on hand and referred to often. It has impacted the relationships in my life in a huge way!
If you express love toward others in a way they do not understand, they will not realize you’ve expressed your love at all. The problem is that you’re speaking different languages!
For example, my youngest two girls rank high in “physical touch”, while that is my last need. I have had to learn to speak their languages by providing them with enough hugs, kisses, back-tickles, and simple pats on the back to satisfy their needs! This does not come naturally to me, so I have to work hard sometimes to make it happen.
I encourage you to go to the website, www.5lovelanguages.com, and do the assessments for each of your family members. Learn to speak the languages of your loved ones and watch the communication in your home improve! You will notice more peace, more harmony, and just the all-around flow of your household will look different!
Here’s to better communication and a fabulous weekend! 🙂
Yes Karen! It’s so true…I know I’ve gotten the looks that communicate “You no speaky my language mama!” In fact, I think this book demands another read from me. Have you ever read the Five Love Languages For Kids book?
Hi Carrie! Yes! Thank you for mentioning this. It should be added to our libraries as well. 🙂
Thanks for the reminder. It is more challenging to meet the love languages that aren’t similar to our own but so important for them to feel understood, accepted, and full of love. I think I need to read this book again, it has been awhile…
I have been wanting to read this for a long time, but it keeps slipping my mind. i need to pick it up, like tomorrow! So I don’t forget haha!