Hello, everyone! I’m Shreyas, and this is my first ever blog on parenting. After reading many parenting blogs and reflecting on my own experiences, I felt inspired to share my journey as a father. Parenting is a unique and challenging adventure, and I’ve learned some valuable lessons along the way. So, here I am, putting my thoughts into words for the first time. I hope my story resonates with you and maybe even helps you on your own parenting journey.
Growing up, I always knew that love was something you showed through actions, not just words. My parents were never very expressive, but they worked hard, provided for us, and made sure we had everything we needed. So, when I became a parent myself, I naturally followed the same path.
My daughter, Anaya, was a bright and cheerful child. She had this infectious smile that could light up any room. From the moment she was born, I made sure she had the best of everything—good food, a comfortable home, the best education. I was determined to give her a life filled with opportunities.
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But life got busy, as it often does. Between work, bills, and the endless list of responsibilities, I found myself focusing more on providing than on connecting. I would come home late, tired from the day’s work, and often, the only interaction we had was a quick “How was school?” before I went to bed. I assumed she knew how much I loved her because I was working hard for her future.
One day, when Anaya was about 10 years old, she came home from school and seemed quieter than usual. She didn’t run to greet me as she normally did, and she kept to herself most of the evening. I was so caught up in my own stress that I barely noticed. When I finally asked her what was wrong, she just shrugged and said, “Nothing, Dad.”
This continued for weeks. The light in her eyes seemed to dim, and she stopped talking to me about her day. I thought it was just a phase, maybe something to do with school or friends. I didn’t press her, thinking she would come to me when she was ready.
Then, one night, I overheard her talking to her friend on the phone. She said something that shook me to my core: “I know my dad loves me, but he never says it. Maybe he doesn’t really mean it.” Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. In that moment, I realized that I had been so focused on showing love through actions that I had forgotten how important it was to say the words.
The next morning, I decided to make a change. I sat Anaya down and told her how much she meant to me, how proud I was of her, and most importantly, how much I loved her. I apologized for not saying it enough, for assuming that she just knew. But as I spoke, I could see that the damage had already been done. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. The doubt that had taken root in her heart couldn’t be erased with just one conversation.
Over the next few months, I made it a point to tell her “I love you” every day. I tried to be more present, to really listen when she spoke, and to make time for just the two of us. Slowly, I began to see the light return to her eyes, but it was a hard road. The lesson I learned was a painful one—love isn’t just something you show; it’s something you say, and say often.
Looking back, I wish I had realized this sooner. I wish I had told her “I love you” every day from the moment she was born. Because the truth is, our children need to hear those words. They need to know, without a doubt, that they are loved—not just through our actions, but through our words as well.
Anaya is older now, a teenager, and our relationship is much stronger. But I’ll never forget those months when I almost lost her trust, all because I forgot to say three simple words. So to all the parents out there, don’t wait. Tell your children you love them, every day. Because those words matter more than you might ever realize.
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