Here’s a not unusual proposal: listen to love songs.

Here’s a more radicial proposal: listen to love songs thinking about your kids.

Upon first glance, maybe it sounds a bit silly or even inappropriate. After all, lovey-dovey gushy love songs are about romantic settings, kisses, passion, and implicit or explicit mentions of sex. 

But for the love songs that talk about caring, concern, and affection, love songs just might fit. Social psychologists like Jordan Peterson suggest maturity is loving your children even more than your spouse. Get out your iTunes, Spotify, or other listening platform and give it a go.

“I Do (Cherish You)” by 98 Degrees

“Love at First Sight” by Kylie Minogue (not to minimize women who don’t fall in love with their babies at first sight as bonding can take time)

“Clumsy” by Fergie

“Earned It” by the Weeknd

“Head Over Feet” by Alanis Morrisette

“The Best Gift” by Barbra Streisand (okay, this is cheating as it IS about a newborn)

It feels silly as the Couple’s Syllabus is for couples, until we remember that a loving marriage supports children. Children matter. If we love our children, we take the time to nourish our marriage as well. It models a loving marriage to children, and it gives them a safe haven and secure base to launch themselves from. Of course, not every relationship is healthy or can be saved, such as where there is abuse or severe neglect. 

Hopefully, your perspective is expanded thinking about your kids with some love songs.