Tiny Teachers: Lessons About Love From Children

Love doesn't always come wrapped in romance, poetry, or by marriage proposals. Sometimes it arrives in the form of sticky fingers offering half a cookie, a spontaneous "I missed you," or a curious question about the stars. Children have a way of loving that's honest and pure. Their quiet understanding of unconditional love reminds us how simple and powerful love can truly be. Their ability to love with intensity, forgive without hesitation, and express affection in the smallest gestures reveals a deeper and truer understanding of what love is all about.

Kids don't worry about whether their love is perfectly expressed - they just give it. They'll draw you a picture with purple and orange scribbles and declare, "This is you!" Or, sometimes, they will simply sit beside you quietly, and offer comfort by just being present with you. It's the small things that remind us that love doesn't have to be extraordinary to be real. It is often found in ordinary moments, like playing games, reading bedtime stories, and listening to them talk about their crazy dreams.

This kind of love is not solely reserved for biological parents. For example, being an aunt comes with a unique magic. You're a safe space, a cool sidekick, and a trusted confidante. You get to be part of their world in a way that's fun, flexible, and filled with genuine affection. The impact you make as an aunt can shape a child's view of love, safety, and belonging in beautiful ways.

The same goes for stepmoms. While the role can come with hesitation or complexity at first, stepmoms have the power to profoundly impact a child's life through consistency, empathy, and nurturing moments that build trust. When partnered with someone who is emotionally supportive and understanding of the importance of that bond, it creates an even stronger foundation for love to grow. Choosing to love a child you didn't birth, and doing so with patience and open arms is one of the purest, and most powerful demonstrations of love there is.

Whether you're a parent, a mentor, an aunt, or a stepparent, one thing remains the same: children reflect back the kind of love they receive. They remind us that love is less about perfection and more about presence. They don't need flawless; they need real. And, through them we are reminded that at its best, love is safe, simple, honest, forgiving, and certainly genuine.