I Love My Daughter: How To Show My Love And Affection

Medically reviewed by Dr. April Brewer, DBH, LPC
Updated October 10, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

As much as you may love your daughter or son, it can be challenging for many parents to express that love in a way that their children can understand. Often, a combination of spending quality time together, finding opportunities for genuine connection, and prioritizing open, effective communication can be an excellent way for parents to express their love for their children. If you struggle to let your children know how much you love them, speaking with a therapist online or in person may help you address the root of the issue and improve your relationships.

Quality time with family

iStock/monkeybusinessimages
Learn how to effectively communicate your love

Quality time can be important for building bonds between family members. Quality time often provides the opportunity to show interest and affection, both of which can show your daughter how much they are loved. One of the main benefits of quality time may be that it provides both parties a way to connect on a deeper level and get to know each other better. Whether the quality time is spent doing a mutual hobby or just chatting, it can help the parent and child see the other’s perspective more easily. Understanding the other person’s perspective can strengthen the relationship.

Quality time with family is one way to express “I love my daughter”

Quality time can also be a great way to support your daughter or son. As they grow up and the world becomes more complex, they may need more support and not know how to ask for it. Spending regular quality time together can create a space where they know they can request that kind of support if needed. Having a safe space to connect with loved ones can positively impact the way they view themselves and handle conflict as well. Some ways to show your daughter you love them through quality time could include mutual hobbies, making memories, and having meaningful conversations.

Bond and connection 

If you want your daughter to know you love them, taking time to connect with them can be crucial. Creating a strong bond between parent and child can increase the chances of the child feeling loved and valued. As children get older and there is more and more going on in their lives, it can be common for parents to perceive they have become disconnected from their child, which can lead to senses of loneliness and isolation for both parties. To mitigate the disconnection, parents can make conscious efforts to connect with their daughter or son regularly.

A strong bond with your child may take time and effort

Building a strong connection with your daughter is not usually something that happens quickly or easily. It will likely take time, effort, and consistency. Making opportunities to take time for them and listen to their thoughts can help them feel valued as a member of the family. Connection can also include teaching your daughter to use empathy to build healthy relationships with others. There can be many benefits to connecting with your daughter, including a stronger bond and increased stability. You might connect with your children through one-on-one time, by encouraging their passions, and by expressing affection through words or actions.

Open communication 

iStock/kate_sept2004

Open communication can easily tie into connecting with your daughter, and it can be an important element to ensure your daughter feels loved. Communication can be essential for your daughter to perceive that the home environment is a place where they can divulge easily. When family members openly communicate, it usually fosters empathy between them and can increase the chance of children asking for support when facing challenging situations. 

Communication lets your kids feel adored and cherished

Part of the open communication process could also include making sure your kids know how you feel about them. Positive communication with your child can improve their self-esteem and help them feel cherished and adored. TIME Magazine conducted a study that found, “There are plenty of kids who wrongly believe their parents are not proud of them. Even though 82% of parents reported feeling proud of their kids, only 69% of kids said their parents are proud of them. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the disconnect is greater for older kids than younger kids. While 78% of parents said they are proud of their 12-14-year-olds, only 58% of kids that age believe their parents are proud of them.” 

You might take time to openly communicate what you love about your daughter or child, even if you think they already know. Other open communication examples to show your love for them could include regular check-ins, practicing active listening, and leading by example by being open and honest about your own thoughts and feelings.

Online therapy can help you improve your bond with your daughter

Online therapy can be beneficial for busy families because of the convenient scheduling options it often provides. Treatment can be completed from the comfort of your home and may not require you to travel to an office or schedule childcare.

Effectiveness of online therapy

One study describes the transition of two university marriage and family therapy training clinics to teletherapy and the types of clients and cases that converted to teletherapy. Their findings noted that “[a] greater number of sessions attended in‐person prior to teletherapy were associated with higher levels of engagement in teletherapy. In addition, individual case constellation was associated with higher levels of engagement in teletherapy. These clients may have had greater rapport with their therapist, and possibly higher commitment to continuing in therapy. And, for individual cases, it may be that continuing in individual therapy reflects prioritizing individual mental health and possibly the ease of attending by oneself.” Online therapy can be a practical step for parents who want to prioritize love, connection, and open communication between all family members.

Getty
Learn how to effectively communicate your love

Takeaway

Spending quality time together, prioritizing opportunities to connect, and focusing on open communication can be three ways to express your love for your daughter. Attending therapy online or in person can help you discover other methods of effectively communicating your love for your children.

Receive compassionate guidance in love
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet started