The Beatles were on to something when they sang “Money Can’t Buy Me Love”, but that doesn’t people from using it as a way into the heart of their loved ones. You don’t want to find yourself being the parent who’s constantly spending as a way into their child’s heart, but all too often, this is the case. Money and monetary gifts are used as substitutions for quality time. I know. The man whose name appears on my birth certificate attempted those tactics with me when I was much younger and by the time I aged to knowing better, I had no interest in his money or his time. Money free love has always been far more important to me.
Coming from what society deems a “broken” home, my greatest wish has always been C and V feel showered with love from both their father and myself, but sometimes it can be hard to tell once the teen years are reached and you start encountering mood swings more than anything else.
I sat down and asked the kids what are some ways they feel loved that don’t involve money and was surprised at how simplistically sweet the answers were.
When you make homecooked meals
When we play games together
When we draw pictures together
When we go to the park
When we go places like the beach and museums
When we cook together
When we share our day together
When you’re happier to see me more than anyone else
When you say you missed me
When we watch movies together during family movie night
When I make you laugh
When we do makeovers
When we have our book club
Saying I love you
Some of these things we’ve done since they were toddlers and others we adopted into our routine as they got older. Some of these things we haven’t done in ages because I thought they had been outgrown, but now I know to incorporate them back in. Some we still do monthly, others weekly, and I love you is said several times a day. While it was placed last on the list, and the actions that preceded it helped them feel loved, the words reminded them.
What are some ways you practice money free love with your teens?
Awww love this post, don’t have a teen yet, have a toddler and a baby. It’s so easy to get carried away with life and forget to appreciate the little things.