I am having trouble describing my love for my kids... at least, using the same vocabulary of love I grew up with.

When you're growing up and dating, it's common to differentiate between being "loving" someone versus being "in love" with them. The cliche is that you can have that warm feeling of love for someone without feeling the burning heat of being in love with them.

I guess I'm wrestling with semantics here, when it comes to loving your kids. Saying that you feel "in love" with someone is generally restricted to romantic relationships. I mean, it would be creepy if a parent said that they were in love with their child. But for many parents, their feelings are definitely more than just "loving" someone...

In short, I love lots of people but the feelings I have for my kids greatly exceeds that. I want to help them, protect them, and just be around them... I just know that we as parents will do anything for our kids.

What is that called... is that just a parent's love? Is there a word for that feeling?