I get this question .... but it's something I need to think about it a little more, I think.
I guess I have always been a little unsure in most of my relationships, if there's an equality in the give and take, like 'am I giving enough', 'what is this person expecting/wanting from me', 'what is their motive in doing this for me; is their motive sincere, done simply in love/care for me'. And .... what is the cost of being loved? Hmmm ..... giving love in return, I'd suppose. And then I think, but I can't seem to give and serve and 'pay the price' like I should. The eternal debate in my mind/heart about selflessness vs selfishness, how much am I giving vs how much should I be giving vs how much am I expected to give vs how much I feel safe giving vs how much I'm taking or feel safe taking ..... sorry if this sounds all mixed-up ......
Yes, with my kids it's a different thing ... I just don't think so much about the cost/price. What they expect/need is simply love and they give it so willingly, too, that my heart is touched with the need and the desire to give without counting the cost so much, as I would otherwise, because the reward is clearly greater than the cost in this relationship - it's a purer, simpler relationship with deeper bonds than I have in any other relationship.