In my opinion, these things matter...
1. Enjoying childlike delights before the child no longer delights in being one.
2. Paying attention long enough to understand -- yet caring enough to make a necessary correction once it's all understood.
3. Responding to immaturity in a mature way.
4. Being silly when I can,
5. And fun when it's not cool to be silly.
6. Making time to listen when it's their time -- not just "my time."
7. Being big enough to say "I was wrong,"
8. Sensitive enough to ask, "Will you forgive me?"
9. And courageous enough to correct my ways in the process.
10. Teaching by my actions that additional freedom is earned by being responsible and not an automatic right acquired on the date of the next birthday.
11. Sharing laughter for no other reason than laughter is being shared with me.
12. Complimenting like crazy,
13. Avoiding foolish demands like the plague,
14. And hugging whether they are huggable or not.
15. Remembering that little people are no more -- but no less than -- just that: little people.
16. Looking in the mirror and realizing "I'm one of the little people who got older."
17. Making sure that "You've done well" doesn't always carry with it "But you *should have* done better."
18. Knowing when to truthfully say "For this I am not responsible: you are." (And living with myself once I've said it.)
19. Knowing the importance of releasing without disconnecting,
20. Being a friend while being a parent,
21. Listening to learn instead of waiting to tell,
22. And giving space without giving up.
23. Knowing the immense value of being able to say in the end "I have done all I could reasonably do -- and them some."
24. Taking time to show up when I can as opposed to wishing I could when showing up is not possible (or even worse: not wanted).
25. Loving with all my heart because in the end it's worth it all.
____________________________________
? Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. The copyright and this resource box must be
included. http://abeautifulmomentintime.blogspot.com
Avoid pain/create pleasure. For A Beautiful Moment In Time
go here --> http://abeautifulmomentintime.blogspot.com
Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More
Do you know what these famous people have in common?Alexander... Read More
Join a growing number of parents and teachers!Fact: Last year,... Read More
When you hear the phrase, 'guerrilla parenting techniques', what images... Read More
Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More
Winnie the Pooh is the classic picture of Inattentive ADHD.... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by... Read More
"I wipe my baby's chin with my college diploma and... Read More
It is hard to believe that summer is coming to... Read More
There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More
Here we will come to know who are the most... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
Voices!So many voices crying out for adherence and so many... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born. Visions of her... Read More
Do you think you really know your child? I don't... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
A fun way to build your child's imaginationWriting is still... Read More
One of my first memories of childhood is that of... Read More
I wanted to share with you one of the most... Read More
Let's face it: raising children can be quite the adventure.... Read More
As thinking, acting human beings we have the ability to... Read More
In today's mental health system there is a pattern of... Read More
Be aware. You may become totally overwhelmed when you get... Read More
Learning responsibility is an ever widening and lifelong process.As thinking,... Read More
spotless home service Buffalo Grove ..The subject of competition is one that provokes some pretty... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
From the book Spider's Night on the BoomI've only begun... Read More
When growing up, my father frequently reminded me to "pay... Read More
To the untrained eye, it might look like a piece... Read More
As our children grow, they will be going to schools... Read More
Sometimes dreams really can come true! May 8th - 11th,... Read More
In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But... Read More
When you talk about multiply your child's intelligence, you can't... Read More
Imagine having no television for an entire season. Such was... Read More
The first year of a child's life is the most... Read More
The Internet, is magnificent in its resources for families. Educational... Read More
How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More
Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More
Not too long ago my teenage daughter approached me with... Read More
My wife and I have been working on a video... Read More
You have two kids who are 14 months apart. How... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
Most of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin, Sam Adams,... Read More
Look around: Your kids are counting sleeps until the last... Read More
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they... Read More
In memory of 14 year old Matthew Smith; 11 year... Read More
Remember when cash was a tangible commodity in all of... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
If you are like most people today, you do not... Read More
Parenting |