Five Love Languages: recap of our last meeting

 

"As you study your children act with your family or other children, see what there love languages are. But, until you know, pour on all of them. You can't go wrong," Pat Thorton said.

 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.1 Peter 4:8 

What is Your Child's Love Language?

Pat Thorton, wife of FOTP's Grapevine Pastor Charles Thorton, spoke  about the Five Love Languages at our last Mops meeting.
 She gave examples of the different types of love languages that each of her children and husband have and how she shows love to them in different ways.
"Your children speak all love languages, but speak one fluently," Pat said.
And, every person has a love tank, she said.
"When you speak their love language you fill up their love tank faster - it's like turning on a faucet," Pat said.

What are the Love Languages?

Love Language of Touch:  This would be someone  who wants to hug you all the time, snuggle or hold your hand. Pat said her youngest daughter falls under this category.
She would always say, "I want a hug .... I need a hug," Pat said.
Words of Affirmation: This would be someone who needs to hear your appreciation for them. Pat said her husband and oldest daughter share this love language. Each birthday, her kids get a little love note from their father, Pat said.
And her daughter's first full sentence was "I do it myself," she said.
"She is amazing and she needs to hear 'You did a great job,'" Pat said. "When you praise your child who has Words of Affirmation, you are fueling their love tank. When you praise them in front of others, you're doubling it."
Quality Time: Someone who loves you to do something with them - not just being in the same room with them, but participating as well.
Pat's son has this love language.
"He's very deliberate about spending time with someone,"she said.
When her son was 6, he went to a summer camp with his dad. After the third day, he said he needed to go home because his mom was lonely.
"I would encourage you to find one-on-ones or a date night," Pat said to those who may have children who have that love language.
Gifts: This would be someone who loves to give and receive gifts.
"They love the effort or thought went into the the gift," Pat said.
She also said, that this was her love language.
When her grandmother passed away, she found an envelope addressed to her, written in her grandmother's handwriting, and explained that her grandmother had given Pat her wedding ring.
"The note is still on my dresser," she said.
The gifts don't have to be expensive, they just have to be thoughtful, Pat said.
"When giving a gift," Pat said. "When there is a sentimental element, it makes it that much more special."
Acts of Service: Someone who expresses love by helping with chores or other services.
"When you see them helping mommy, then you  load on the praise," she said.

There will still be some hits and misses in parenting for everyone, Pat said.
"Charles and I certainly didn't do everything right ... when you concentrate on your family's love languages, love is going to cover a multitude of sins," she said.

*Our next meeting will be next Wednesday, Feb. 27. We will have the pleasure of hearing from Jennifer West as she discusses Meal Planning.