How Do They Know?

Do your children know that you love them? How do they know? How do you know that they know?
Do you tell them that you love them? Do you hold them in your lap, or give them hugs? How often? Every day? Do you spend time talking to them, with them? Do you answer their questions when they ask them? Do you take the time to stop what you're doing when they need your attention or focus? Do you tell them nice things to build them up? Do you encourage them in their growth, in their struggles? Do you share stories of your own childhood to let them know that they are completely normal? Do you act as a mirror of all the many strengths and gifts that they possess and hold it up for them to see the good in themselves? Do your children know that you love them? Do you know that they know it? How do they know?
Do you listen to them when they have complaints? Do you validate their frustrations or anger or sadness? Do you sit with them and console them in their disappointments? Do you allow them their own thoughts and opinions? Do you give them the space to make their own decisions? Do you give them the space to make their own mistakes? Do you let them know that you are not always right? Do you show them that it is okay to be human? to make your own mistakes? to apologize when you are wrong? or when you hurt someone? Do you teach them that it is more important to follow their own hearts, than what anyone else thinks, including you? Do you see them for who they are, who they are meant to be? Do you accept and love them in their space, in their way, according to their needs?
What do you do, to let your children know that you love them?