Showing Affection In Front Of The Kids...

[Faith 1st]

[font="Comic Sans MS"]Knightec and I always discuss this....[/font]

[font="Comic Sans MS"]I think that the children should see us share a brief kiss of a pat here and there. My mom never did that stuff in front of us. I never saw her kiss my step dad or even play with him. I have had to work really hard and only now have I been able to show public affection to the love of my life......KNIGHTEC.

What do you think?[/font]

[Thy Geekdom Come]

Christopher West says "make love in front of your kids." His meaning is that "making love" isn't just sex, but hugging, kissing, and generally being affectionate. Parents need to let their kids see that they love one another...not only does it give their kids a good self-esteem and stability in their lives (because they know that they came from love and share in it as a family, even if they can't express that in such terms), but it shows the kids how to love and how to love modestly.

[iggyjoan]

I think parents should show affection in front of kids. Obviously not so much that it makes the kids want to run away screaming, but I think a quick kiss or a hug or whatever is fine. I think flirting is okay but only if it's done mildly. Very mildly. Kids don't really want to see mom and dad mega-flirting, it gets gross. I think parents showing affection teaches kids about love a little bit. My old religion teacher told us that our parent's relationship is the most romantic relationship we see, and I kind of agree with that.

[homeschoolmom]

Also, along these same lines.... If you are going to argue within earshot of your kids, you have to make up in front of them, too. I think oftentimes parents get into an arguement and then take it off to another room... and then somehow magically, it's all over and everything is back to normal??? How confusing.

[iggyjoan]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1564621' date='Jun 9 2008, 10:50 AM']Also, along these same lines.... If you are going to argue within earshot of your kids, you have to make up in front of them, too.[/quote]

[Archaeology cat]

I, too, think it's good to at least show some affection (brief kisses, hugs, holding hands, etc). I may have seen my parents kiss once, and it was after I was an adult. My grandparents (both sets) flirted, and I thought it was wonderful.

[Pontifite 7 of 10]

My parents can if they want to, but I still think its gross.

[kujo]

I wish my parents had showed affection towards each other. Perhaps it would've helped their marriage.

[The Bus Station]

[quote name='Pontifite 7 of 10' post='1564639' date='Jun 9 2008, 10:58 AM']My parents can if they want to, but I still think its gross.[/quote]

[MissScripture]

I don't remember where I read it, but I believe I read somewhere that children who have parents who show affection in front of their children are less likely to get a divorce or something...I don't remember specifics, only that the point was, you should show affection.
And as much as my sister and I now go "Ewwww!" I do think it has been good for us to see it. I also know that when we were little, whenever they did hug or kiss, we'd try to get in on the hug and get kisses, too.

[iggyjoan]

[quote name='MissScripture' post='1564720' date='Jun 9 2008, 11:25 AM']I also know that when we were little, whenever they did hug or kiss, we'd try to get in on the hug and get kisses, too.[/quote]

me too

[MissScripture]

Oh, and I plan on being affectionate in front of my children. I would have a really hard time NOT being affectionate, for one thing...

[dUSt]

Me and my wife jello wrestle while wearing nothing but hats and diapers in front of our kids. Is this wrong?

[kujo]

[quote name='dust (the ultra-handsome' post='1564902' date='Jun 9 2008, 02:56 PM']Me and my wife jello wrestle while wearing nothing but hats and diapers in front of our kids. Is this wrong?[/quote]

The only thing wrong is that it's not pudding!

[Faith 1st]

[Veridicus]

[quote name='kujo' post='1564642' date='Jun 9 2008, 11:00 AM']I wish my parents had showed affection towards each other. Perhaps it would've helped their marriage.[/quote]

I'll second that. My mom's and dad's affection was basically non-existent. Not that my dad is a particularly affectionate or sentimental person whatsoever (had to be the oldest and gruffest of 10 kids I guess...). Anyway, when my step dad moved in he was creepily affectionate to my mom which made me crazy for about 8 years before I turned 18 and moved out to get to school. I'm still not really over it to be honest. Probably a lot worse since my dad didnt's how any affection and then my stepdad was creepy about it. Just one of those things that makes you want to scream...

Edited June 9, 2008 by Veridicus

[CatherineM]

We don't have kids of our own, but we are always seen holding hands while walking to and from church, and often kiss at the kiss of peace during mass. My parents never showed too much affection to each other. My father always kissed us on his way out the door and when he came home at night. We always knew he was crazy about her, but she isn't an expressive person at all. There's a lot of complicated reasons for that. One thing that they did do, is that when my mom was taking a bath, about 10 minutes in, he'd knock on the door and ask if she needed her back washed. Considering the fact that my dad was 47 when I was born, he was in his late 50's to early 60's when I remember him doing that. I don't think it warped me at all. I don't take baths though.

[MissScripture]

Whenever we "eww" at their kissing, my parents will say, "Hey! We have a license to do this!"

[Deb]

My dad always kissed my mom good bye before he went to work but, that is about all I see. They would flirt around now and then but, nothing much. Now, I think they like to be in separate rooms after 54 years.

[prose]

My kids see us kiss and flirt all the time