The title of the song by Huey Lewis and the News makes me think about children with a history of attachment trauma.  And the answer is frequently no.  They do not believe in love.  Parents can tell them they love them and they don’t believe it, because they don’t know what it means.   Anyone who is wired for survival stays in hypervigilant mode most of the time, which precludes feelings of connections, closeness, and security.  Our children have to really experience love at a deep, somatic level to believe in its existence – and to believe they are truly loved and treasured.  But how do we give them that kind of experience when we are also in survival mode, trying to manage their behaviors day after day?  I think providing the experience of love has to planned, and for some families, the experience has to take place with the help of a therapist, because otherwise it is just too difficult!  The most ideal situation is regular, daily time to let go of all the conflicts and frustrations and snuggle, talk, and be close.  Bedtime is a wonderful time for planned nurturing, but first thing in the morning closeness can help to start the day off right with a traumatized child!