I am sure if I call my parents this minute and just say: "I love you folks", they would be very worried and probably call on their parish priest to say a prayer for me because I may just be going nuts.

I was shocked to the realization that since I was born I have never for once thought of saying the "L" word to my folks and siblings, let alone putting the thought to words. This is not saying that I do not love them nor does it imply that they do not see that I do.

Far from it, I do love them and they see it in my actions but the challenge comes when I am asked to voice it to them. I believe firmly that saying "I love you" to them is the right thing to do but it is just so difficult.

I am quite sure that the difficulty has a lot to do with the way I and my siblings were brought up. We never got around saying "I love you" to each other. The closest we got to using the "L" word in the family was when we pray and recite the "Jesus I love you..." prayer etc.

As a grown man, I find it strange that an individual would bring up his family devoid of a phrase so simple. It matters not if they show each other love....I believe that phrase should be used in the family multiple times daily as it helps with the bonding process.

a muffled ''love you''during birthdays (phone calls only)

sisters to brothers
brothers to sisters
mother to son
daughters to father


yuuck.. never told my dad or brother sha..

buh i swear to God.. i love them all to bits

more than they would ever know.. and the feeling is mutual

Zero

I do say "i love you " to my mummy and brothers,but my dad,HELL TO THE NO.
But i love him alot,i just cant bring myself to say it.

kristina1:
I do say "i love you " to my mummy and brothers,but my dad,HELL TO THE NO.
But i love him alot,i just cant bring myself to say it.

u aint 'close' ? ...or y?

You are right op,it depends on how u were brought up,same for me too.dats y we must put in efforts to teach our children nt jst to love bt express it in words nd actions

Dotwillis1:
u aint 'close' ? ...or y?

Am scared of my dad....he's a strict disciplinarian/

trendy01:
You are right op,it depends on how u were brought up,same for me too.dats y we must put in efforts to teach our children nt jst to love bt express it in words nd actions

I agree with you!

This Op funny sef 'often' loun loun, you don't mind, I've never thought about it for once.

Its just not in the DNA of an average typical Nigerian family. It would be an awkward if said in my house. I will be like who's gonna die!! Yes! To say the truth.

But my mom (God bless mothers) say it frequently, as for my dad hell will freeze over before that word can 'slip' from his lips.

Notwithstanding my love for my familia na Jackie Chan! Familia over fortunes. I support you, you support me•

kristina1:

Am scared of my dad....he's a strict disciplinarian/

uhm...buh u r on good terms sha

heroarams:
This Op funny sef 'often' loun loun, you don't mind, I've never thought about it for once.

Its just not in the DNA of an average typical Nigerian family. It would be an awkward if said in my house. I will be like who's gonna die!! Yes! To say the truth.

But my mom (God bless mothers) say it frequently, as for my dad hell will freeze over before that word can 'slip' from his lips.

Notwithstanding my love for my familia na Jackie Chan! Familia over fortunes. I support you, you support me•

striktlymi:
I am sure if I call my parents this minute and just say: "I love you folks", they would be very worried and probably call on their parish priest to say a prayer for me because I may just be going nuts.

I was shocked to the realization that since I was born I have never for once thought of saying the "L" word to my folks and siblings, let alone putting the thought to words. This is not saying that I do not love them nor does it imply that they do not see that I do.

Far from it, I do love them and they see it in my actions but the challenge comes when I am asked to voice it to them. I believe firmly that saying "I love you" to them is the right thing to do but it is just so difficult.

I am quite sure that the difficulty has a lot to do with the way I and my siblings were brought up. We never got around saying "I love you" to each other. The closest we got to using the "L" word in the family was when we pray and recite the "Jesus I love you..." prayer etc.

As a grown man, I find it strange that an individual would bring up his family devoid of a phrase so simple. It matters not if they show each other love....I believe that phrase should be used in the family multiple times daily as it helps with the bonding process.

The bold got me thinking....why is it easier for us to vocally profess our love for Jesus but difficult to do same to our friends, families or people we come in contact with.

Well I do use those words and the likes often yet its difficult not to think twice before using them

SalC:


The bold got me thinking....why is it easier for us to vocally profess our love for Jesus but difficult to do same to our friends, families or people we come in contact with.

Well I do use those words and the like often yet its difficult not to think twice before using them

Hmmm...

Beats me why that happens but it would be pretty cool for parents (especially young parents) to take a second look at how they raise their children.

Once in a deep blue moon

To me never , i hear more of the opposite

Love for someone originates from the heart and that's the most important thing. But there is this reassurance that one gets when it is expressed in words.

Though we may not be used to it, it is something we should learn to do often.

Always

*trying to remember*

It's upbringing sha.

Shugaryme:
Always

Fantastic!

Keep it up!

striktlymi:


Fantastic!

Keep it up!

Thanks

Oahray:
*trying to remember*

It's upbringing sha.

Lol...

Remember and say it

Shugaryme:


Lol...

Remember and say it

ok, I remember

Not often. Usually at partings or when already away from the others, on phone and all. But to waka go meet them just talk am...

My own future family would be different sha.

Oahray:
ok, I remember

Not often. Usually at partings or when already away from the others, on phone and all. But to waka go meet them just talk am...

I see...

Oahray:

My own future family would be different sha.

Awwww...
Fortunate future family, all the best o

striktlymi:
I am sure if I call my parents this minute and just say: "I love you folks", they would be very worried and probably call on their parish priest to say a prayer for me because I may just be going nuts.

I was shocked to the realization that since I was born I have never for once thought of saying the "L" word to my folks and siblings, let alone putting the thought to words. This is not saying that I do not love them nor does it imply that they do not see that I do.

Far from it, I do love them and they see it in my actions but the challenge comes when I am asked to voice it to them. I believe firmly that saying "I love you" to them is the right thing to do but it is just so difficult.

I am quite sure that the difficulty has a lot to do with the way I and my siblings were brought up. We never got around saying "I love you" to each other. The closest we got to using the "L" word in the family was when we pray and recite the "Jesus I love you..." prayer etc.

As a grown man, I find it strange that an individual would bring up his family devoid of a phrase so simple. It matters not if they show each other love....I believe that phrase should be used in the family multiple times daily as it helps with the bonding process.

Lol. Same thing in my family. We love each other to pieces but we don't use the 'L' word at home.

However, it's my younger brother who is now doing by fire by force 'I love you' for mischievous purposes. When he calls, he ends the call with 'I love you' because he knows we will be too embarassed to respond. The day I dared him and responded 'I love you too' he laughed in embarassment and quickly hung up. Since then, he dares not tell me he loves me to my face.

When he tells my mum 'I love you' she answers with ''common get out''. That's not to say she doesn't love us. She can give her life for her children, and the feeling is mutual.

The fact is Nigerian parents are not expressive, especially our parents' generation. They express their love in different ways, ways which we have come to recognise and appreciate, so we do not see the need to vocalise it. A dad who sells his car to sponsor your education, or a mum who sells her jewellery to buy you that dress you've been pining for doesn't need to tell you they love you; their action says it more clearly than words could ever express.

As for me I've vowed to be very expressive to my children. It's difficult but I must learn it.

True

Ishilove:

Lol. Same thing in my family. We love each other to pieces but we don't use the 'L' word at home.

However, it's my younger brother who is now doing by fire by force 'I love you' for mischievous purposes. When he calls, he ends the call with 'I love you' because he knows we will be too embarassed to respond. The day I dared him and responded 'I love you too' he laughed in embarassment and quickly hung up. Since then, he dares not tell me he loves me to my face.

When he tells my mum 'I love you' she answers with ''common get out''. That's not to say she doesn't love us. She can give her life for her children, and the feeling is mutual.

The fact is Nigerian parents are not expressive, especially our parents' generation. They express their love in different ways, ways which we have come to recognise and appreciate, so we do not see the need to vocalise it. A dad who sells his car to sponsor your education, or a mum who sells her jewellery to buy you that dress you've been pining for doesn't need to tell you they love you; their action says it more clearly than words could ever express.

As for me I've vowed to be very expressive to my children. It's difficult but I must learn it.

I Love you ke. I am not sure I have ever heard that before, Lol, But that doesn't mean the Love isn't there. Infact Love plenty, I guess in this case action speaks louder than words.

Ishilove:

Lol. Same thing in my family. We love each other to pieces but we don't use the 'L' word at home.

However, it's my younger brother who is now doing by fire by force 'I love you' for mischievous purposes. When he calls, he ends the call with 'I love you' because he knows we will be too embarassed to respond. The day I dared him and responded 'I love you too' he laughed in embarassment and quickly hung up. Since then, he dares not tell me he loves me to my face.

When he tells my mum 'I love you' she answers with ''common get out''. That's not to say she doesn't love us. She can give her life for her children, and the feeling is mutual.

The fact is Nigerian parents are not expressive, especially our parents' generation. They express their love in different ways, ways which we have come to recognise and appreciate, so we do not see the need to vocalise it. A dad who sells his car to sponsor your education, or a mum who sells her jewellery to buy you that dress you've been pining for doesn't need to tell you they love you; their action says it more clearly than words could ever express.

As for me I've vowed to be very expressive to my children. It's difficult but I must learn it.

Fantastic!


Seems you got your wits from your mum...

striktlymi:


Fantastic!


Seems you got your wits from your mum...

Now that you mention, it seems I did...

cococandy:
True

As Often as I have to

today