A Child's Need for Belonging

When Dave (my husband) was 2 years old, his mom brought his little brother home from the hospital.  Dave enjoyed being the firstborn and the only child around receiving attention, so after a few days he asked his mother, “Back to hospital?”  He wanted his mom to take baby brother back to the hospital where he came from!

“Belonging” is a primary emotional need.  It’s the assurance that you are being loved unconditionally for who you are, and accepted just as you are.  Belonging is a critical factor in developing a child’s healthy personality--the sense of being loved and cared for.  We see this love demonstrated by God our Father.  (I John 4:10 – “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us…”)  A child’s first experience of belonging occurs in his/her family.  How beautiful it is to see a dad and mom loving their child—a tangible picture of God the Father’s love for us.  What an impact God has given you as a parent to help your child develop a true sense of personal security and significance.  You have a unique opportunity to give your child a foundation of belonging.  This in turn opens the door for them to develop intimacy in relationships as they grow older.

Think of tangible ways you can both say and show unconditional love and acceptance to your child each day this week.

Jeremiah 31:3  “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”

Hebrews 13:5  “I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you.”