Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The 5 Love Languages of Children Review and Giveaway

A few weeks back my husband and I were able to attend a short two hour seminar held by Gary Chapman. Although I was familiar with his book, The 5 Love Languages, I had never read it or heard him speak. As we set out for the seminar I was excited to learn something new that would help our marriage. To keep this review short I will simply say that I was blessed beyond belief. Mr. Chapman really does understand love as so few do. He also bases what he has learned on the Word of God because he knows that without the Lord, there is no real love.

When I was given the opportunity to review two of Gary Chapman's books just a week or two later, the first a picture book for children on the 5 love languages and the one that this review is about I jumped at the opportunity.

 I have not been disappointed.

The 5 Love Langauges of Children has opened my eyes and helped me to understand my own kids. My prayer for so long has been that the Lord would teach me to understand my children. I desire for them to grow into godly ladies and a godly man. One tool that the Lord is using is Mr. Chapman's book.

Just like the original 5 Love Languages, its focus is on getting us to understand the languages of those around us but this books teaches us what the love languages look like coming from a child.

I'll share one example. Our son, the only blue in a house full of pink, loves to touch. Since he was tiny he would touch anything and everything he could. As you can imagine it does tend to (frankly) get on my nerves sometimes. I know what you're thinking, "Don't most kids touch things?" Well sure but some more so than others. In our home our son is the extreme. At stores he will be the one to lean on us when he gets tired. At home it's not uncommon for him to come up and give us hugs or sit on our laps. At supper time he is constanly putting his feet all over me and if you ever have to sit next to him you may as well get ready to have no personal space! That boy will glue himself to you. Yes, the others do some of the same too but he does it all the time!

A few days before I began reading this book my husband looked at our son and said, "You know you're my favorite son!" (Uh, he's the only boy!!)

That boy jumped off of the couch, flung his arms around his daddy and said "Thank you Daddy." Then he gave Hubs a big sloppy kiss on the cheek.

As I read the chapter about the Love Language of Physical Touch I was reminded of that instance. I then realized that my boy loves to touch and be touch (via hugs, pats on the back etc) because it's what makes him feel loved. It was like a light bulb going off. How could I not have seen that before?

I decided then and there that I would do my best to accept his (constant) touching with more love and not irritation. I am beginning to understand my child!!

Our 3 year old loves to help. Yes, many that age do but she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to help. She is constanly asking to help around the house or with cooking or cleaning. And yes, it's HARD to always accept that help cause I can do it quicker alone. But as I read the chapter on the Love Language of Quality Time I began to wonder if maybe she feels most loved when we spend that time together. I know she is very young but her desire to help is different than her 3 older siblings.

I'm not trying to box my children up into neat little labled boxes but I think that there is something very important in what Mr. Chapman shares in his books.

I am loving the 5 Love Languages of Children.

I have to give this book 4 stars! It's great! It will open your eyes as a parent and allow you to realize why your children act/react the way they do sometimes. I would strongly suggest any one desiring deeper understanding of a child to add this book to your home library.

Quick Overview:

12 Chapters, 221 pages
In this book you will:
  • be introduced to the 5 Love Languages of children
  • learn how to figure out your children's love language
  • see how love languages affect learning
  • learn how to speak the love languages if you are a single-parent family
  • and have the opportunity to take a love language mystery game.

And now for the best part! One reader will be blessed with their very own copy of The 5 Love Languages of Children. All you have to do is enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Tell your friends and family members to stop by and enter. Everyone ought to have an opportunity to win this one.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

The 5 Love Languages: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Lovin' Learnin'