25 Things That Matter When Relating To Our Children (leaving A Legacy Of Love To Those We Love)
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In my opinion, these things matter...
1. Enjoying childlike delights before the child no longerdelights in being one.
2. Paying attention long enough to understand -- yet caringenough to make a necessary correction once it's allunderstood.
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 earnedby being responsible and not an automatic right acquired onthe date of the next birthday.
11. Sharing laughter for no other reason than laughter isbeing 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 noless than -- just that: little people.
16. Looking in the mirror and realizing "I'm one of thelittle people who got older."
17. Making sure that "You've done well" doesn't always carrywith it "But you *should have* done better."
18. Knowing when to truthfully say "For this I am notresponsible: you are." (And living with myself once I'vesaid 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 theend "I have done all I could reasonably do -- and themsome."
24. Taking time to show up when I can as opposed to wishingI could when showing up is not possible (or even worse: notwanted).
25. Loving with all my heart because in the end it's worthit all.
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© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
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