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://www.motivation-for-daily-living.net

There are several treatment options available to help improve the... Read More
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
Do you really want your child to enjoy playing with... Read More
I WAS AMAZEDI could hardly believe what I was hearing.... Read More
Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More
Vacations are fun ! Weekends with the family are nice.... Read More
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born. Visions of her... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
Some children practically potty train themselves, while others struggle and... Read More
Are men to blame for the divorce problem in this... Read More
Prenatal intelligence, also known as fetal intelligence, has become a... Read More
Recently I took my two children to a popular new... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
Many parental units are not "techies" and openly admit they... Read More
Even as a busy parent, I'm sure you've seen a... Read More
Every summer our daughter goes to summer camp. She looks... Read More
Bi-Polar Disorder, or Manic Depression, is characterized by mood swings,... Read More
One fantastic way to get your children involved in what... Read More
For any parent, learning that a convicted sex offender lives... Read More
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the way... Read More
There are many parenting styles. Yours may be very different... Read More
Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably... Read More
I have a bit of a different response than most... Read More
Many people consider plush toys great for children. They say... Read More
Have you ever had this struggle with your teens? Did... Read More
Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More
Is it possible to be using our children addictively?Anything that... Read More
When our oldest son was 2, my wife went out... Read More
Are you being smart about water conservation? Do you consider... Read More
Public education in the United States has never been equal... Read More
Let's face it: raising children can be quite the adventure.... Read More
If you had to spend 4 or 5 hours in... Read More
What do you do when your child begins talking to... Read More
For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More
As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party... Read More
The human brain never actually stops developing. Beginning formation in... Read More
How well do you really know your child?There is so... Read More
Suppose that you rearrange your life to homeschool your child... Read More
Speaking as a Michael (a Hebrew name, meaning "Who is... Read More
MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times... Read More
1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. They will... Read More
1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More
Because most teens have not had the experience of getting... Read More
Self-reliance and potential are two very important values that I'd... Read More
Reading is the most efficient and economical way to help... Read More
Answering Service ResourceAnswering Service Resource |