Do you feel like your kids aren’t really listening or taking it in when you tell them you love them? Do you want to add some fun and creativity to your expression of affection?
Well, fear not! Here are 8 different and fun ways to say "I love you" to your kids that will make them laugh and feel loved at the same time.
1. "I love you more than pizza.” ( Or your favorite food or beverage)
Pizza is one of my favs and it’s a universally loved food, but you can exchange the word “pizza” for something your child knows you really love. My kids know I love coffee. Even on Christmas morning, the opening of presents didn’t start before Mom had a mug in her hand. In my book I Love You to the Moon and Back, I added the phase I” love you more than coffee drinkers love their biggest mug”. Both kids know I was referring to myself and I have some pretty big coffee mugs they’ve given me over the years! Saying that you love your child more than your favorite is sure to make them feel special.
2. "I love you more than unicorns love rainbows."
Kids love unicorns and rainbows, so why not use them to express your love? This cute and quirky statement will have your child grinning from ear to ear, and they'll feel extra special knowing that your love is just as magical as a unicorn's love for rainbows.
3. "I love you more than you love ice cream, and that's saying something."
Another food-related expression of love, this one emphasizes just how much you adore your child. Even though your child might love ice cream a lot, your love for your child is even greater. You can swap out ice cream for your child’s favorite foods.
4. "I love you to infinity and beyond, just like Buzz Lightyear."
If your child is a fan of Toy Story, this is the perfect way to show them how much you care. By referencing one of their favorite movies, you can make your expression of love even more meaningful and fun.
5. ”I love you to the moon and back, even if you don’t clean your room. But, I’d also really love it if you did.”
This playful twist on the classic phrase adds a fun challenge for your child to meet. By mentioning a specific task, like cleaning their room, you can encourage them to be responsible while also showing them how much you care. It also shows that you love them no matter what. Sneaky, huh?
6. "I love you more than all the stars in the sky, and even more than the ones we can't see."
This is another cosmic metaphor that can help convey just how vast and endless your love for your child truly is. By including the stars we can't see, you can emphasize that your love is not limited by what we can perceive with our eyes.
7. ”I love you to the ends of the earth, and beyond."
This expression of love takes your child on a journey beyond the boundaries of our planet. By referencing the ends of the earth and beyond, you can show your child that your love is not confined to one place or time.
8. “I love you _________________”.
Fill in the blank and say "I love you" in your own unique way, because that's what makes your love special and meaningful to your child. At our house, of course we say “I Love You to the Moon and Back”, and have for three generations now, but we also say “I Love You Mucho”, a phrase started by my mother, so that makes it all the more special to us.
So there you have it, a few more ways to say "I love you" that you can add to your repertoire. Mix them up to keep it fresh. Whether you're referencing a favorite book, food, activity, animal, or reaching for the moon and stars, the most important thing is to let your child know just how much you care.
I wrote the book “I Love You to the Moon and Back” as an unconditional love letter to my kids, and as a way to present the concept of love in a way that kids can understand and relate to. It’s also a common phrase in many of our families. If it’s common in your family, or you want to start incorporating it into your “love language”, there are even more ways to say "I love you" within its pages.
You can get your own copy of “I Love You to the Moon and Back” HERE. Until Valentine's Day, you will get Valentines/Love Notes as a digital product FREE with each book purchase.
Get creative and have fun with it. Encourage your kids to come up with their own phrases. Let them feel the love!