Forced I love you!!

is it just “I love you” in particular that she doesn’t say?

if it’s always been the two of you, she may not realize that she’s supposed to say it back maybe?

Yes! My 2 1/2 yr old doesn’t really say it to anyone either. She would randomly say it to a you rather and than me or to her dad when we say I love you. I think a lot of toddlers go through that at times might say it more when they are older!

Same 🥲 when I say it to my son it’s very rare he will say it back. Most times he’ll say “I love you appa (grandpa)” in a joking way, laughs about it, and refuses to say mama😩 or anything else besides mama lol

My girl is the same, she won't say it but she will say it back. Sometimes right away, sometimes after two or three times. But I can tell she loves me by her actions. She's always hugging and kissing on me. I read somewhere that just as they are developing everything else, they develop their love language too. My daughter definitely is physical touch, she loves holding my hand, etc. Maybe your daughter has a different love language? 😁

Maybe personality? I have twins one who’s affectionate and more generous with her I Love Yous. The other is more quiet and selective with who she opens her heart to. Rarely tells me, her primary carer, she loves me. In fact, I’ve heard her say I love you more to her stuffed unicorn and cookies ! I like to think her affection will not easily be won when she’s an adult. Also, if it puts your mind at ease, when they get older, they’ll realize everything you did and sacrificed as mom. At that point they’ll show their love, right now they just think about their base needs and wants ☺️

I still tell my twin I love her even if it’s met with silence. But I switch it up with I’m so proud of you, or you were a good girl at the park today, etc. Sometimes I wonder if the word Love loses its meaning and maybe is somewhat abstract for a 2 1/2 yr old 🤷‍♀️ Who knows

My daughter only says it to her dad and I but sometimes we say it twice and she answers sometimes she runs up and says it sometimes we say it once it all depends on her mood

Find a song you can sing that says "I love you," then "I love you, too." Model it for her and she'll start doing it more.

Thank you all! I will take all of the advice this helps to ease me a lot 🥰

she says it to her father who doesn’t live with us and hasn’t really been active So I find it weird a lil lol

My daughter didn’t really do it much either but I only took it as she’s still learning to say it and when to say it. So after I say it 2 or 3 times I start saying it in funny voices to keep her engaged, after a while she’d repeat what I’d say