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
For the most positive daycare experience for your child, partner... Read More
Let's face it.The job market is getting tougher every day.Computerization... Read More
When our oldest son was 2, my wife went out... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
Home-schooling removes children from public school. That alone makes home-schooling... Read More
Every week I write something about the stock market -... Read More
Here is something that you might want to keep if... Read More
Many times, we are so conditioned in how we speak... Read More
I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted... Read More
"Will my doubts and fears affect my child?" This father... Read More
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
Often I will hear parents say, "I just ignore Jr.... Read More
It was blisteringly hot last Saturday. As I took that... Read More
Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference... Read More
Most of us really don't like it when someone is... Read More
My oldest boy is fifteen and was a real jerk... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
Often, the struggle at dinnertime with your picky eater is... Read More
The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers,... Read More
As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
insured cleaning company Wilmette ..Often, the struggle at dinnertime with your picky eater is... Read More
Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More
I never dreamed that I would be in a position... Read More
On one of her quarterly visits to see her grandson,... Read More
It's the third time this week that Sam has complained... Read More
Self-reliance and potential are two very important values that I'd... Read More
Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe... Read More
Maintain CommunicationEven though teens need to separate from their parents... Read More
Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child... Read More
My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when... Read More
Oh Please, Don't Say Maybe!!!!Are you often a participant in... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
Time management is an organisational concept traditionally associated with adults... Read More
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading was conceived... Read More
Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More
Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More
We need a grass roots campaign targeted towards parents to... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
There's a new kind of fun and calm out there... Read More
I will never forget the day that my daughter's sixth... Read More
I have always been aware of my number one weakness:... Read More
Parenting |