Speaking The Other Languages

I've had a little epiphany this past week concerning love languages, from this book The Five Love Languages. For some people it might seem like a no brainer but for me, it's hard to speak a different language than the one(s) I respond to. Jill has a fabulous post on this (that I can't believe I didn't comment on), read it here.

Kathryn is a full of life little girl that loves, and I mean loves, everyone and most everything. She is helpful and smart, loves to be a care taker (aka- the girl in charge). I've said this before but she dons a smile most all the time. Oh and she's a morning person. A happy morning person (totally foreign to me)! Anyway, she has been having a hard time in first grade keeping her answers to herself when she hasn't been called on and has been interrupting the teacher on a daily basis. When she knows the answer she wants to be the first to yell or blurt it out. And it hasn't been going over very well. She would come home with 'incidences' every day, sometimes more than one. I would try to talk to her about it and remind her in the morning before school, we even added it to our prayers to try and help her earn good time in her class. I really like her teacher but she is one strict, play by the rules first grade teacher. She expects a lot out of the kids in her class.

Last Friday, I had a bad mom morning. I'm not proud to admit that I was yelling and rushed (excuses I know) and I was not leaving them with a nice feeling when they left our home. Right before we left the house I apologized for getting after them and yelling before they went to school. When we got to parent drop off I gave them each a hug and kiss and told them I love them (trying to ease my guilt). I tell them I love them everyday, just minus the hug/kiss as they jump out of the van. And not because I don't want to hug them, I seriously just don't think about it.
When I picked them up that afternoon, Kathryn was so excited to tell me she had a star day. Yeah! We high fived and praised her, letting her know we were so happy. Then Mon when as she was getting out of the van, I thought, lets work to keep this up and gave her another hug and squeeze as she jumped out. Another star day. So has continued the pattern every day this week! She had only had one star since the beginning of the year and now, as of yesterday, 4 in a row. Amazing, was I speaking her love language?

I've been thinking about this all week. Is it a coincidence? Did talking and blurting out of turn just click with her last Friday or with the hugs and touch right before she leaves me is she more focused and secure. I have a hard time not feeling like it has helped her (not because I'm amazing, just because she is hearing what I'm saying in the language she needs). The 'hard' part about Kathryn is that she speaks all the languages and for someone like me, that can be draining. She loves touch, words of affirmation, gifts, quality time and even responds to acts of service (she notices everything you do or say, and remembers it). I'm serious the girls does not have clear lines in her love languages. And some of that is how she was raised before coming to live here with us. She needs every single one.

So whether it has been a coincidence or not (what do you think?), I'm committing to speaking her language more. Even if that's touch (my very hardest one). And in writing this, I realize that it's vital for her (and all of us) to feel loved. Something I know, I just let life get in the way. Isn't that awful to admit?

Asked in every post about this book but, have you read this book (if not, read it!) and what's your language ?