7 Ways to Show Your Family You Love Them

For many, showing affection to their family is a simple task. But besides using the "magic words," there are different details and attitudes that we can employ to express what we feel.
7 Ways to Show Your Family You Love Them

Last update: 29 March, 2019

Many times, we simply assume that others know how we feel about them. Even if they do know, it still never hurts to show your family you love them. If you don’t know how to go about it, the following article offers some important tips.

How to show your family you love them

Perhaps you think that to show your family you love them, it means walking down the street hugging and saying sweet things to one another for everyone to see. However, kind words said in private are much more valuable than public displays of affection.

If you don’t know how to tell your family members that you love them, you can start by expressing your feelings when no one’s listening. That will make things much simpler.

Do you have a hard time saying how you feel? Here are some useful tips:

1. Don’t be so shy

Maybe you don’t express how you feel to your family because you’re too shy or embarrassed. But do you know how you can get over your fear, shame and embarrassment? By saying what you feel!

You don’t have to say anything eloquent or elaborate. Just a few magic words like “I love you” are enough. What’s the worst that could happen? That they tell you that they love you too!

2. Leave little messages

If you feel you still aren’t prepared to show your family you love them face to face, then you can leave them a message. Put a note somewhere that they can find when you’re not there – such as a letter on the nightstand, a card on the refrigerate door, an unexpected email or a short but sweet text message.

This is a great place to start if you’re not sure how to express your feelings for them.

3. Give complements

Demonstrating your love for your family goes beyond the use of specific words. It also has a great deal to do with small, daily acts. Giving complements is an excellent way to let your family members know how you feel about them.

Many times, we simply assume that others know how we feel about them. It's true they may know, but it never hurts to show your family you love them.

For example, you can congratulate them for a delicious meal, for keeping their rooms clean, for getting good grades at school, for an accomplishment at work, or for how they handled a tough situation.

Complements are a form of empathy and leave the receiver happy and proud… And it does the same thing for the person who gives them.

4. Physical contact

Words aren’t the only way to express your love to your family. Hugs, kisses, caresses and pats on the back are also excellent ways to demonstrate affection. In fact, human beings need physical contact from those around them in order to feel loved, cared for and respected .

For example, you can touch a family member’s arm, hand or head when you speak to him or her. Or you can hold their hands as you walk through the park, or greet them with a hug after spending the day apart from one another.

5. Have fun together

Spending time with our children, siblings, parents or partner is another way to show that we care about them. When we dedicate our time to our loved ones, we make them feel important and that there’s nothing we’d rather be doing.

Don’t forget that time is short and that you should only spend your time doing what’s truly important. Being with your family should be priority.

So, go to the park or to the movies, enjoy an evening playing cards or board games, dance together or just laugh together. What better than to spend time having fun with the people you love the most?

Many times, we simply assume that others know how we feel about them. It's true they may know, but it never hurts to show your family you love them.

6. Help them

Another practical way to show your family how much you love them is by offering your assistance. For example, you can work together to take on household chores or help your kids with their homework. These are just a few options, but the possibilities are endless.

You can help them figure out a situation at work or a conflict with a friend, go along to a medical appointment, etc. You don’t always have to wait until someone asks either. Surprise your loved ones with an unexpected favor!

7. Say you’re sorry

Asking for forgiveness when you make mistakes is another way to show your family you love them. Why? Because we show them that they’re important to us and that we’re willing to do what it takes to fix our mistakes.

Lastly, you can show your family you love them through small gifts. They don’t have to be expensive, or even store-bought. Homemade, personalized gifts are much more meaningful because you put a part of yourself into them.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.