Parenthood is a remarkable journey filled with joy, challenges, and an overwhelming amount of love. It’s a time when unconditional love takes the spotlight, not only for your newborn but also within your relationship as partners. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what does unconditional love mean, pertaining to the context of being new parents. We shall also explore how it strengthens the bond of partners and becomes a guidebook for caregivers. So, let’s unravel the mystery of this powerful emotion that transforms the experience of parenthood.
What Does Unconditional Love Mean?
Unconditional love refers to an expression of affection which is unwavering and without strings attached, as expressed by relationships expert Laura Vowels. Empathy and supporting your partner through all aspects of their lives are hallmarks of unconditional love. A deep, unwavering affection that knows no bounds, restrictions, or limitations. It’s love without conditions or expectations; a love that remains steadfast through thick and thin, highs and lows.
Love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.
In the realm of parenthood, unconditional love takes on a unique significance, as it involves not only your partner but also your precious new bundle of joy. But before we discuss the love for our kin, it is important to address the relationship of partners. If parents love each other unconditionally, then it can be easily reciprocated for their babies.
Unconditional love is often associated with ideal romantic movies or family relationships. Many of us would love to experience this emotion. Unfortunately, though, is it truly possible in real life?
What is Love for You?
If you truly love someone, it can be easy to become wrapped up in the notion of unconditional love. Building and nurturing unconditional love between partners is a continuous process that involves effort, understanding, and empathy.
Every person has the desire to find his or her one true love! Movies and books make us fantasize about “someone” who shall be there for me all the time. We see our parents loving each other, grown-ups depending on each other and being available in times of crisis. But how do we find that type of love where all our wants are fulfilled?
Generally, we have set a list in our mind that what we expect from our future partner. What if he or she has few of those qualities but not all of them? We may feel cheated, get hurt, be disheartened and may stop oneself from loving again.
Firstly, it is important to cut all the misleading words like “always”, “never”, “so many times” because it labels the action forever. For example, “Will you always support me? Will you never make me cry?” How illogical it is to think that a person can bear such heavy weight to keep his/her better half “always” happy. Certainly, that person will run away or quit. Infact, all these labels are quite opposite to unconditional love.
So, before creating such fantasies about your partner, put yourself in his/her shoes. After becoming a parent, fulfilling desires of our partners becomes quite a task.
Small Activity
(Let’s do an activity- list 20 things that you want in your partner, then cut down to only 3 of those things. Those 3 things are most important to you which you cannot live without, and the rest fall in the “less important” category which you can live without and shall help you lessen your search)
Now, let’s divert our minds to a different expression to understand what does unconditional love mean. Some of you may have heard ‘Grow in love’.
How to Grow in Love and Cultivate Unconditional Love Between Partners?
True love will not fall from a tree like an apple, but you will have to grow that love within you and your partner like a plant. This type of love needs patience, perseverance, efforts, understanding and of course, LOVE.
Is there a quick solution to love? No. Love is not all about a sexual attraction, physical affections and being passionate about your partner. If you are in-love with someone then you need to help them grow and only, then can your love blossom. You will have to accept that sometimes your partner shall not support you in your decisions or even make you cry in times of need because at the end, everyone is a human-being!
We grow from our mistakes and learn to love harder and make the bond stronger than before. Indeed, the term ‘falling in love’ is a negative expression, which brings out certain negative thoughts and makes you depend on that person to pick you up. However, GROW IN LOVE is a positive expression, that conveys good emotions and instill the attribute of helping each other to condition themselves. Thus, now we can agree on what does unconditional love mean!
How to Express Unconditional Love Towards Your Children?
When you have removed the term “conditions apply” from your relationship, it is true love! Your child will feel the same kind of love immediately! So, how do you express your unconditional love towards them?
- Physical Affection
- Active Listening
- Quality Time
- Encouragement
- Unconditional Acceptance
Accepting your child with its unique abilities and some flaws is the key to unconditional love. Your child will grow and nurture under your guidance and embrace his/her true self.
Conclusion
Indeed, unconditional love is the secret ingredient that strengthens the foundation of your relationship as partners and shapes your journey as new parents. It’s about looking past small annoyances of your partner’s behavior and offering unwavering support. Importantly, you need to think, what does unconditional love mean to you? Keep in mind that showing this kind of love is never simple and accepting someone with their flaws can be challenging.
Embrace the joy of parenthood with open hearts and grow in love to create a nurturing environment where your family can thrive.
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