Confession:  this post is three parts brag, one part nugget.

My 13-year-old son was getting off the bus from a week long school trip.  He and his bud were walking towards the group of eagerly waiting parents when his friend said to him, “Don’t you hate it when you haven’t seen your mom in a while and she grabs you and hugs you to death.”

My son looked at him and said, “Actually dude, that’s exactly what I want.  I can’t wait to hug her and not let go.”

Awwww…

I’m writing this to obviously brag on my son.

But what may not be so obvious is that I can bet the other boy was secretly thinking the same thing, but wanted to appear cool in front of his friends.

So be encouraged if your young one shys away from showing you affection.  They really do want it (and need it), but just may not always know how to show it.