Doug Hinderer and his daughter Monica are back at it again on Marriage Unhindered, and this time, they’re exploring a game-changer for parenting: knowing your child’s love language! ❤️
You can listen to the full hour here!
Takeaways from the Episode: 📖 Love Languages: Not Just for Couples!
Most of us know about Gary Chapman’s famous Five Love Languages: words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, quality time, and physical touch. Did you know these apply to your kids, too? Identifying how your child gives and receives love can deepen your bond, boost their confidence, and even make discipline more effective.
👀 Step One: Observation Is Key
Kids naturally express love the way they want to receive it. If your child is always making you little drawings or surprise gifts, gifts might be their thing! 🎁
A kid constantly climbing on your lap or snuggling next to you on the couch? Physical touch all the way! 🤗
That one child who just lights up when you say, “I’m so proud of you”? Words of affirmation for the win! 🗣️
🚨 Warning: Discipline Can Hit Differently!
Ever wonder why some kids shrug off a punishment while another melts into a puddle of despair? 🫠 That’s because if you “punish” in their love language, it cuts way deeper.
-A words of affirmation kid will be crushed by harsh criticism. 💔
-A quality time kid will be devastated if you isolate them as punishment. 😞
-A physical touch kid might feel abandoned if you push them away in frustration. 🚫
💡 The Grandparent Hack
Doug shares a parenting life hack: if you’re too busy running a household (which, let’s be real, you probably are), enlist the grandparents! They have more time to observe and can give valuable insight into each grandkid’s love language.
Experiment & Adapt
Still not sure? Test it out! Give them extra hugs, little gifts, or one-on-one outings and see what gets the best response. The goal is not to label them, but to love them in the way that fills their little hearts best. 💖
Why Does This Matter?
When kids feel loved in the way they understand best, they develop:
✔️ Stronger self-esteem
✔️ Emotional resilience
✔️ Secure attachments
✔️ Healthy relationships later in life (aka, future solid marriages!)
Basically, this is parenting gold! 🏆 And bonus: when your child feels loved, they’re actually less likely to act out in the first place. (You’re welcome. 😉)
🎙️ Final Thoughts: Want a happier, more connected family? Figure out those love languages! It’s a small shift with BIG impact.
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
