Re: (Un)conditional Love ?

I agree with FenixR…  If I could say it better, I would! 

I just want to add:

  When you love someone unconditionally, especially a child, to whom your love is especially important, they feel freer to take risks in life, knowing that if they do make a mistake they will not lose your love. (We must take risks in life!) A child who has made a mistake will be able to admit it to you and you will be able to help them get back on the right course. Also, a gay child (for example) will more likely feel comfortable coming out to parents, and be more likely to take advice to heart. When they no-doubt feel rejection in other places, they will have a softer landing with you. 

A child who feels they can lose your love by their actions will not be as safe in this world as a child who knows they have it no matter what. Their poor decisions will only multiply because they will not have you to help redirect them. And if your love depends on them being a different person than who they really are (as in a gay child), well, those type of “conditions” are “wrong” in my book! (So there!)

When we tell our child “I don't like what you did, but I'll always love you,” you are helping them, not hurting. Behavior changes, but love should remain steadfast.