KIDS’ VIEW ON

Well-known and wellloved author Erma Bombeck once said, “Children make your life important.” Too often today, families get caught in the rush of life and don’t sit down and ask kids their thoughts. For Valentine’s Day, I connected with families in the area and they asked their kids what their thoughts are on love. What I thought might be a list of silly and humorous answers quickly turned into a great lesson on love.

Children are honest to a fault. Any mother who asked her four-

1) Maggie—age 6

What does it mean to love someone? To care for them and help them through anything.

How do you show love? By respecting others and saying please and thank you and doing kind things.

How do you know if you love someone? When you think of them, you get a heart feeling and it makes you smile.

2) Riley—age 6

What does it mean to love someone? Like and care about them.

How do you show love? Be kind, be helpful, share my toys.

How do you know if you love someone? They are nice to me and make me happy.

year-old daughter what she thought of her outfit will tell you that you only make that mistake once. Children will tell us when we’re funny, fat, or just plain don’t make sense. And that honesty has been found again in these answers about love.

I think we could all learn something from these children. Love is respect. Showing love is kindness. Loving someone makes us want to be with them. These are simple reminders of the complex concept of love. We don’t need the Beatles or Taylor Swift to tell us about love. We just need a group of honest children.

3) FynnLee—age 7

What does it mean to love someone? You open your heart to them.

How do you show love? Saying sorry.

How do you know if you love someone? When you get butterflies in your tummy.

4) Remington—age 8

What does it mean to love someone? If they’re mad you give and show them love. How do you show love? You kiss them.

How do you know if you love someone? Sparks fly!

5) Simon—age 8

What does it mean to love someone? To care for them.

How do you show love? Hugs.

How do you know if you love someone? You just feel it.

6) Bella—age 9

What does it mean to love someone? You have feelings for the person you love.

How do you show love? Respect the person you love.

How do you know if you love someone? If you want to share your happiness with the person you love.

7) Cici—age 9

What does it mean to love someone? It means to care about them and like them for who they are.

How do you show love? Help them up when they are down. Be kind to them.

How do you know if you love someone? You feel it. You think about them and miss them when they’re not there.

8) Aarilyn—age 9

What does it mean to love someone? To feel caring and compassionate towards someone else.

How do you show love? I say “I love you” and I hug the people I love. I also give gifts from the heart.

How do you know if you love someone? Because they are kind to me. Because they care for me. I prefer to do the same things back.

9) Brady—age 9

What does it mean to love someone? You really like them. How do you show love? Kiss and hugs.

How do you know if you love someone? They are family. You want to hug and kiss them.

by Pam Wormington