ALWAYS saying "I love you"...normal??

I have 2 who have been with me since last Aug (so almost 11 months) who are the same way. They are 5 & 6 now, were 4 & 5 when they were placed. They started telling my husband and me that they love us in their first week. They say it constantly. They also constantly come to me for hugs, kisses and "cuddles" constantly. Some days I just say "Ok, that's enough cuddles for now." because it just gets to be to much constant contact for me. It seems to be mostly when they are feeling insecure (like before and after any visits with the CW or their bio family or if they recently were reprimanded for something). In the time it took me to type this, my 6 year old foster son who is playing LEGOs at my feet has said, "Mommy, I love you!" four times.

i would say yes, you just tell him. i have a nearly 8 yr old here who is doing much the same thing--but only been here a month. for her, i think she's confusing the feeling of safety and calm with love. she told me she loved me after she was here for just a few days. i told her that probably she didn't love me just yet because she hadn't known me long enough--she might love me for real some time in the future, but not just yet. but with a 3 yr old, that 2.5 months is forever. his heart is wide open and love happens very quickly. hug him, cuddle him, rock him, and enjoy him. i wouldn't worry if he's doing this exclusively with you and your family. he's ready to attach. enjoy it.

This is so weird. I have a 3 yr FD that I've had for about the same amt of time. I actually mentioned this in another thread. My FD was 'almost' borderline inappropriate with her affection with my kids. I've had to teach her how to touch, and how long. I've had to tell her not to pet/stroke my kids when she's showing them affection. She can be aggressive,rough or hang on them far too long for my liking. I don't get too deep, I just tell her, ''short hugs'', or ok that's enough. She has gotten a lot better (and I mean night and day better)but she still says ''I love you'' throughout the day, not as many times as your FS though. I think I said it to her once, and from there she just started saying it about 8 times a day.I don't mind her verbalizing her affection- it was the excessive physical touch that disturbed me. I've also learned her pattern. Sometimes she'll give me a hug and tell me she loves me out of the blue, and other times it's b/c she wants something like a snack or to play a game on my phone. Take note of when he does it.

My now AS did this for quite a long time after he was placed with me, at 3 years old. He did it almost constantly especially if I got out of sight. For example, if I ran down cellar to do the laundry, I could time it almost to the second when I would hear my name from the top of the steps and then "I love you." He also did it a lot after he went to bed, calling out from his room many times to tell me he loved me. He also did it in the same way you describe your little guy doing it, just coming up every so often to hug me and say "I love you". I felt it was sort of a "checking in" behavior, a way to reassure himself that I was present and acknowledging him. I just always answered, "I love you too" and then went on with things. It faded away slowly as he became more secure, but would return and become more intense whenever things got stressful, such as anticipated visits, chaotic visits, cancelled visits, news of parents in jail and major transitions such as the start of school, traveling etc. Even now, when life gets stressful I notice that he will revert to the old repetitive "I love you's" sometimes. Sure beats the "I hate you's" that have been cropping up around here lately now that he's 10 and I am so mean and unfair! lol

I would say it is normal to an extent. I have three that do it that have been mine since birth. For one it was a way to engage me as she didn't really know how to start a conversation because of her disabilities. My five year old, mine since birth, totally secure does it a lot during the day as well. She likes to talk and if she has run out of topics she will start with that. I tell the kids I love them a lot and it is a regular part of our day so maybe they are using it in their own way too.Triciatricia-themama.blogspot.com

It doesn't have to be anything bad. My kids do it all the time. They will walk through the room, and then run and give me a hug and say I love you, and then run back to what they were doing. Personally I love it so I encourage it. Maybe the family they were from just said it a lot. Now my twins came and practically HUNG on me. It drove me crazy. I had to redirect it to the quick hugs and special cuddling times. They just do it for the attention, I think because they wanted the reassurance of being wanted. Just enjoy it and redirect whatever is driving you crazy to something you can handle. :)

My kids say it all the time too, especially my 7&8 yro. However I think maybe we are using our grown up logic and assigning it as 'off' b/c it doesn't seem right. Sometimes our grown up logic doesn't amount to a hill of beans with these kids. Our grown up logic says ''how can you love me if you barely know me''? I bet these kids know us better than some of our friends do- as they don't just see our 'preferred' side- they see it all-when we are happy, sad, frustrated, etc. A childs love is unconditional.... which is why they love their unlovable parents. So in a way, I guess this IS normal for them. They *can* love in a short period of time.

I think it is normal to some extent, and I would rather have a child who is like that (our current 3 year old is) than have one who wants nothing to do with me. Having said that, it could be a sign of a sensory issue. Kids with sensory issues don't really understand physical boundaries and they sometimes don't realize the distance so they are always laying on you, hugging you, etc...If it's the only symptom than I wouldn't worry about it, but if you see other sensory concerns then you can have them evaluated: putting lots of things in their mouth, walking on their toes, sensitivity to textures, lights and sounds, clothing, etc...

My bio 2.5 year old son has begun in the last few months saying I love you dozens of times per day and often wants a hug/kiss. I just enjoy it. It may be a security/reassurance thing with a FK, but it could also just be a phase with a child whose bonded and established.

My biological son, who is seven years old, will randomly call me, if he hasn't seen me for awhile, from another part of the house..."Mom! Mommmm!" "Yes?" "Love you". He's silly. He's the youngest child, and he's still the baby of the family. He finds comfort in hearing I love him and hugs. That is his love language. That and candy ;)

I have a four year old who I have had since 3 days....he says it at least 15 times a day (I counted for a week just so I knew I wasn't exaggerating). Setting has no impact on his declaration. In the car, store, school, home, table, restaurant, and most definitely in EVERY public bathroom we have ever been in. We recently went to a wedding and on 3 separate occasion I got "OMG isn't he just the sweetest little thing. It brings a tear.". MNow I don't want to sound ungrateful....but sometimes less is more :). Honestly I am storing them up cause he might hit 6,9,15 and not even want to acknowledge me.