Have you received or have you given true unconditional love?

[Anonymous]

I am child free and I’ve heard you don’t understand unconditional love until you have a child. Is it true that having a child leads to this kind of love? How does it feel? Anyone have unconditional love for someone other than their child? Or experienced it?

[Anonymous]

I have unconditional love for my husband and have felt it towards my dog. The love I have for my kids isn't different than the love I have for my husband

[Anonymous]

I don't have children but work as a nanny and my love for my charges is as pure and unconditional as I have ever known. It is powerful.

[Anonymous]

The best love is between parents and children, or people and their pets. Love is like doing anything for someone so they don't die.

[Anonymous]

I also don't have kids, so can't speak to parenting and "unconditional love." But I will say that for all other people, I do not believe in "unconditional love." Some basic conditions are absolutely necessary - kindness, integrity, etc.

I tend to think that "unconditional love" is something people with unhealthy tendencies made up, to take advantage of others - like a form of manipulation. Basic conditions are healthy and normal in all loving relationships.

[Anonymous]

For me, it wasn't until I had kids that I felt true, unconditional love for another person. I love my DH very much, but the love I have for our children is different. I think he would say the same.

[Anonymous]

I think most people's parents love them unconditionally. I only feel it for my parents and my children. I love my husband but it's not the same as the love I have for my kids. I don't know maybe it is. I would do anything to save him and am thoroughly happy for him when he achieves something. But if he cheated, I wouldn't feel that way anymore. And I think I would still love my kids even if they did something really shitty.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think my love feels different. I think I forgave my parents for a lot of crap because I realized how hard it is to parent.

[Anonymous]

Definitely for my kid. Made me feel stupid to have gotten so wrapped up in failed romances. There is no love like loving a kid.

[Anonymous]

Yes for our kids
Yes for our dog
No for H, there are things he could do to make me not love him.

[Anonymous]

I think my mom loves me unconditionally but my dad doesn’t. I’m not sure I love anything unconditionally.

[Anonymous]

I have unconditional love for my husband, kids and parents...my siblings as well. Had it for my grandparents as well.

[Anonymous]

I think my kids are the only people I could love no matter what the circumstances, even if they did something totally abhorrent.

Now, I've never *not* loved my parents and my husband...but they've never done anything shitty. I think if they did (husband cheated, abused me/kids, etc.) I wouldn't love them anymore. Knock on wood that it'd never get to that point!

[Anonymous]

I have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think my kids are the only people I could love no matter what the circumstances, even if they did something totally abhorrent.

Now, I've never *not* loved my parents and my husband...but they've never done anything shitty. I think if they did (husband cheated, abused me/kids, etc.) I wouldn't love them anymore. Knock on wood that it'd never get to that point!

Would you love your kids if they were physically abusive towards you?