If I had my child to raise over again

If I had my child to raise all over again, I'd build self-esteem first and the house later. I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less. I would do less correcting and more connecting, I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes. I would care to know less and know to care more. I'd take more hikes and fly more kites, I'd stop playing serious and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I'd do more hugging and less tugging. I would see the oak tree in the acorn more often. I would be firm less often and affirm much more. I'd model less about the love of power, and more about the power of love.

–Dianne Loomans

I loved you enough . . . for our teenagers

Some day when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them: I loved you enough to ask where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home. I loved you enough to insist that you save your money and buy a bike for yourself even though we could afford to buy one for you. I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep. I loved you enough to make you take a Milky Way back to the drugstore (with a bite out of it) and tell the clerk, "I stole this yesterday and want to pay for it." I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes. I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect. I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart. But most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it. Those were the most difficult battles of all. I'm glad I won them, because in the end you won, too.

–Author Unknown