You don’t have to outright tell your child you don’t love them for them to feel unloved. A mistake parents often make is that they think that saying the words ‘I love you’ is enough. If a child is made to feel like a burden then it’s likely that they will feel like they aren’t lovable enough to be heard or given attention. If your actions contradict your words, your child will feel confused about the love they receive. For instance, if you belittle your child, take out your anger on them, disrespect their space, needs and individuality, or treat them like they are stupid/ignore them, then words of love will not be well received. Even if you say ‘I love you’ to them, they aren’t going to feel that love, understandably.