Within your family, are the words "I love you" said often?

Question

I only ask this because I've only ever heard my mom say those words to me several times in 20+ years (and it was only because of a particular sitution that she thought had me depressed). My father has never said those words to me. And don't get me wrong, I have a wonderful family who is very caring, but I guess we just don't express ourselves in that fashion in respect to each other (I have no problem saying the words to my girlfriend, by the way).

I know that on TV, those words are exchanged between parents and siblings very often, but I just want to know if the household I live in is the norm or are the families I see on TV the norm? Which category do you fall into?

Answer 1

My family is exactly like that. My mom has said it only about 6 times total. I'm not exactly sure why some families are like that. I guess they don't have to say it because they express it in other ways.

Answer 2

Here recently part of my family has been saying i love you.The other part have this on going feud,that has been going on for many years.What you see on T.V. is not how most real families act towards each other.It is never perfect.That may be what we want our families to be like there not.But family is still family,no matter what.What is normal in my opinion is,Having disagreements from time to time,But be willing to except when your wrong and say I;m sorry.I have a wonderful family as well,but we sometimes forget to say l love to each other.Rather than hold grudges.I am the eldest of three Bothers,and i find myself trying to bring play mediator for my Brother.I always wind up in the middle because i want them to get along,but they are content on being mad at each other.Then they wind up mad at me because i tell them what they don't want to here.Like,were Brothers,we shouldn't be fighting with each other.In stead we should (Love one another)and (leave the past behind).That's when the claws come out on me,because they say i think i know everything.Through this experience i have learned you i can't make them get along,i can only say what is i think is right,and hope and pray that one or both of them heard at least some of what i saidThis is just an example of what i have gone though.Many families go though the same thing,some worse.But it doesn't mean we don't love each other.It means we are an average family that needs to learn how to show more Love and learn to say (I Love You) more often.

Answer 3

Sometimes family's are not demonstrative. I am glad that you can say that to your girlfriend, and mean it. My direct family and I exchange many "I love yous". Whenever they leave the house, in the morning, in the night, at random times throughout the day. You can never say it enough. Have you ever told your parents that you love them? Perhaps that would be a good place to start...nice name by the way. Makes me think of the book. Did you do that on purpose?

Answer 4

When I was growing up, the words were not said very often. Now, they say them more often but I have to wonder if the words are truly meant. Love can be shown and not said.

In my current family (my husband and kids) we say the words often and mean them. Express yourself the way you feel comfortable and so that the other person knows what you are feeling. That is more important.

Answer 5

We actually always have said it growing up. Even if we were mad at each other, and couldn't stand to be around anyone in the family we still said it. I recently hd a fallout with most of my family. When we did talk, I still said it. I did love them, but things had changed. Now things are getting better, but we still say it.

I had always said it to my grandparents before we left their house. The one time I can only remember that I forgot to give him a hug goodbye, he died tragically in an accident. I blamed myself when he died (I was only in 6th grade), I thought if I would have said it then he would have known. It still hurts that I didn't get to say goodbye that day, or even right before he died. But I know he knows that we both loved each other.

Just depends on how showing families are with love and affection. I say it to my husband and son all the time.

Answer 6

I wish we told each other more often, too. You have inspired me (as a mom) to lead the way in my own family. It's so great that your tell your girlfriend. It is often difficult to share our feelings when there is stuff in the way.

We do love each other - you are right -it's not something that should be assumed - it is something that is expressed in word and actions!

Answer 7

I'm a single Mom of 2, and it is very important to say that we love each other
daily, all the time...you never know when it's your time to go. why don't you
start a NEW tradition in your family. just walk up to them and say it. There is not a day goes by that i don't tell my kids how much I Love Them & Appreciate
Them. And this is the most precious gift God has given.......LOVE....and it's
Free.

Answer 8

My mother said the words "I love you" when I was growing up and she only has said it a handful of times as a grown up. Now within my own family we say I love ALL the time. Everyday several times a day.

Answer 9

My parents never said it to each other or to me when I was growing up Not that I can remember. I am 27 and my father has only recently started saying it to me and only on the phone (we live 2000 miles apart) My family also doesn't hug or show any physical affection. We weren't overly dis functional. We just weren't mushy and crap.

Answer 10

Yup! All the time. We've always told each other how we feel. To this day I live several hours from my family and make sure to tell my family before getting off the phone that "I Love them".