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
No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
Q. When you consult with a family with teens, what... Read More
A common problem many times facing parents is Colic. Estimates... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
Detox To Conceive.. If you're having trouble conceiving... Read More
The 'phone conversation had nothing at all to do with... Read More
Not Letting Them Think.We all implicitly know that anything questioning... Read More
Parents, when you help your children learn to read, you... Read More
Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
Maryann is so focused she's blind. She's slipped over the... Read More
Here's some of the bad news about sedentary lifestyles:? Forty... Read More
Be aware. You may become totally overwhelmed when you get... Read More
One of the most difficult struggles in life for a... Read More
So, the thing is? I am feeling a little guilty.I... Read More
Researched through personal experience!Budget Your Money. Even if you are... Read More
What are we teaching our children about money? Hopefully something!I... Read More
Is your baby approaching his or her first birthday and... Read More
Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More
Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably... Read More
What's hard for teenagersHaving people who don't understand you trying... Read More
The First Reason: For one thing, child development experts are... Read More
1 "Law of Belonging": The greatest need of teenagers (after... Read More
We are all so very happy to see that the... Read More
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..We know that you want your little guy or gal... Read More
Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More
O.K. So now you have taken the step of having... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
We adopted our first child when he was three months... Read More
Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school,... Read More
1 "Law of Belonging": The greatest need of teenagers (after... Read More
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they... Read More
An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2005) - With Memorial Day weekend,... Read More
I am in pain. I've been in pain all day.... Read More
Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
Strattera came out around January of 2003, and is becoming... Read More
Homes should be run by parents, not children. So many... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness... Read More
Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. Its... Read More
Teaching kids to deal with conflict effectively and peacefully is... Read More
"Good parents give their children Roots and Wings." --Jonas SalkThe... Read More
The First Reason: For one thing, child development experts are... Read More
There has been much attention in the media of late... Read More
Parents are always looking for ways to open up the... Read More
MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More
Becoming a stepmother can undoubtedly be one of the most... Read More
Parenting |