She's crawling. Our life will never be the same. I tried to prolong the inevitable by pushing her over gently when she tried to crawl or just handing her the toy she was after. I sent her to daycare on Monday, a normal, stationary baby and she came home crawling. I clapped. I cheered. I cried. She's just a baby. My 8 month old baby.  This growing up stuff and reaching milestones and all of that other nonsense? It can stop. Please and thank you.

This morning when I dropped off the girls at daycare I was joking with one of the owners and said, "Why did you let her crawl?  Didn't you know that's not supposed to happen?  I just knock her over!"  He laughed and had me repeat myself for his wife, who was clearly not amused.  She informed me that I was "terrible" and that Jordin was "behind and should already be in the waddlers class (the walkers) by now" and that I shouldn't be "hindering her development."

Excuse me?  I think not.

I didn't defend my actions, or my child.  I stood there, and I laughed a little, and said, "She's 8 months old.  Crawling is normal.  I just didn't want it to happen now."  I left it at that and mainly because her statement and way of thinking is just asinine.  Jordin is 8 months old and developmentally on track.  I know this because I spend every single day with her.  Talking, playing, singing, feeding, changing, watching, listening...  I also know that most children crawl between 6- 12 mo but every child is different and holding each child to the same standard is just ridiculous. 

I don't think that I'm going out on a limb here by saying that we all raise our children to the best of our ability and we do so in the way that is the best for us, as their parent.  My children are happy and healthy little girls.  By most standards they're considered "normal" and for someone who works with children on a daily basis to tell me otherwise?  I do have a problem with that.  I'd like to go tell her to reread some of her early childhood educ. manuals, but that wouldn't be kind of me.  I'd like to tell her that her judgement has no place in her career.  That just because she spends a few moments with my child doesn't make her an expert.  Sure, she's a parent, she's a child care owner, but she's not the parent to my children and until she's paying their bills, she has absolutely no right to judge me or say things about them that are foolish.




I've faced some of the worst judgement at our own daycare, at the hands of people who are all just like me.  And I find it disgusting.  Disgusting that people think that just because they think that they know me that they can spout of something about me or my child and that I won't react.  I will, in my own time, in my own way.  Quietly.  Kindly. 

Even this past weekend I was approached at Panera by a complete stranger, a young male who was visiting from Tampa, FL, who walked up to me, and said, "WOW!  That baby looks heavy!  What do you feed her?!"  Obviously fast food.  Every day.  All day long.  No.  I didn't say that.  But I wanted too.  Instead I just said, "She's a sweet girl  God made everyone different.  Have a great day."  The couple behind me chuckled and as he walked away the wife said, "I cannot believe some people.  Your baby is gorgeous." 



I find this way of forcing standards on our children mind numbing.  We feed our children organic, healthy food because it's what is best for them yet we forget that they should learn and grow organically as well, because it's what is best for them.  There is so much judgement in our world today and instead of beating ourselves up over what our kids should be, we should just let it happen.  Stop comparing your kids to other kids (or yourself to others!). Don't measure their accomplishments based on somebody else's results.  A quote that I read on a blog earlier this week, I think it was Raven's said, "You will never be able to tell in a room full of doctors which ones have been breastfed as babies."   Think about that for a second.  Because it's so incredibly true.

In the grand scheme of things does it matter that Jordin crawled at 8mo instead of 6mo?  Absolutely not.  She's going to terrorize her sister either way.  She's going to run and walk with all of the other kids in her kindergarten class.  Or maybe she won't.  Maybe she'll stand to the side and watch them play.  Because that is what is best for her. 



I'm not sure where I'm going with this.  I'm just tired of the constant judgement.  Tired of the should be and could be comments.  Tired of other people trying to make me feel like a failure.  So let's stop.  We live in a world of so much judgement over such simple things that just doesn't matter.  It's our job, as parents, to make sure that our kids know what is important. And as parents, we need all the support we can get.  So let's support each other.  Deal?

I am not a happy pregnant person, and if you asked me while I was pregnant if Jordin was our last baby, I would answer with a resounding, solid, there's no doubt about it, "YES!"  Two healthy girls, there is no need to try for a third to 'go for a boy.'

Ask me now.  My voice wavers, my eyes cloud over, my lips form words but no sound comes out. 

I look at Jordin, who was seven months old on Monday, and I just don't know. I don't know if I am done.

Financially, we have to be.  Three children creates a new dynamic - a bigger vehicle for me, a bigger house, higher childcare cost, more groceries.  Financially, there are times that we struggle with only two children, and I don't want to have to worry about how we will pay the bills if we had three.

Then Jordin flashes me a sweet smile, slobbers my face with a kiss, waves her arms with excitement as I walk into the room, and my heart skips a beat. 

But what if we had another girl?  Oh my.  I might actually lose my mind.  Mentally, I'm not sure I could handle it, and that is reason enough to be done having children.  But, my children are so different.  Cameryn was (and still is at times) a crying, whining, screaming non-sleeping mess of a baby.  She is so much more pleasant as she gets older, challenging, but she is a funny child with a big heart.  Jordin is SO different and those crying, screaming, non-sleeping days and night have been replaced with laughter, smiles, and precious sleep.  Part of it is because we're not rookies anymore, we kind of know what we're doing this time around.  Both of my girls are awesome and I wouldn't trade any moment with them and replace it with another, but I am actually terrified of what will happen as they become tweens.  And what would happen if we tried for another and had another girl?  I may never be the same again.

But what if we had a boy?  How our lives would change.  There would be blue in my house!  Cars!  Trucks!  My husband could teach his boy how to throw a baseball or football, because isn't that a dream that all dad's have?  And maybe, just maybe, I'd have a "mommy's boy" since both of my girls love their daddy so.

I spend most of my nights playing with my girls and watching the two of the interact with each other.  I try to tame a wriggling baby on the changing table and have to call Cameryn to come in and talk to her, because Jordin simply adores her sister and Cameryn standing there calms her.  I know that they will share a bond that I will never understand, because I never had a sister.  I watch Cameryn cheer Jordin on as she does tummy time and begins to pull her knees under her.  I laugh every day when Cameryn asks me if Jordin has teeth yet and I answer no.  I love that big gummy smile but I dislike how grumpy she is from teething for so long.

Then the sadness sets in that this could be the last time that I watch my baby learn how to crawl.  The last time that I am greeted with a big gummy smile and slobbery kisses.  The last time I get to see all of these 'first' moments, and my heart skips a beat, but this time because its filled with doubt and I am not sure if I am ready for this to be my last.

I know that God will guide me in the right direction.  He'll let me know if we will be a four or five person family.  I have put my faith in him.  It may take a few months or years, but eventually, I'll know.  Until then, we are a happy family of four and I am soaking up every moment, every first (every last?).

My girlfriends gave me a baby shower a few weeks ago.  I was definitely not expecting one but I am so grateful for any excuse for all of us to get together and talk shit about people spend some time together.  My girlfriend, Nicole, from Atlanta was able to make the drive up too, but somehow we didn't get a pic together.  We even had a little facetime action with Jess.  I love my girlfriends and I love that our girls will be going to kindergarten at the same time!   

Jenn, Janette, me, and Stephanie

Stephanie is truly a crazy woman.  She and her husband were celebrating their five year anniversary on a cruise all week and they docked in Charleston on Saturday at 7am and she held the shower, at her house, at 4pm that day!  Janette and Jenn provided most of the food and it was incredibly yummy. Janette made some kind of cheesy dip and I couldn't get enough of it. She told me not to ask what was in it, so I didn't!  Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of the decor or the food, but Stephanie discovered Etsy for the first time and went all out with pink and yellow elephant decor!  The baby's room has taken on an elephant theme with the bedding that I finally settled on.  We have also received a few elephant themed gifts from my mom, including a super cute wicker elephant table!  Since most of our family was in town for Cameryn's graduation earlier that day, the timing of the shower worked out perfectly.  The kids helped me open gifts, which they loved.  I laughed because when we got a chance to go through them the next day, there were a lot of things that I didn't see.

Whitney, Cameryn and Madison

Stephanie

Bryce

Cameryn had at least 4 cupcakes during the shower.  People (ahem, Janette!) would say, "Oh you're going to be the big sister!  Have a cupcake!"  So she did.  The poor girl was so sick the next day!




I laugh when I see these pictures!  William and Izabell are a year apart but William loved her.  He chased her, on his hands and knees, and tried to smother her in kisses.  He would not stop and poor Izzy wanted nothing to do with him!  Stephanie had to pry him away!




I loved being able to spend this time with our friends and family.  We are so thankful for each and every one of them and we cannot wait for them to meet baby sister! 

I love Pinterest and when I saw this pin floating around, I knew that I had have it for Cameryn because it describes her perfectly. 

So, I found my way to the etsy shop and I placed an order with Kathleen from etsy shop Printable Scripture.  She was fantastic to work with and my order arrived a few days later (I did not print them myself).  The verse for baby sister's room was a custom creation (but I see that she has now added the verse to her shop!)  I chose to have the same font used in both verses and I love how they turned out!  I'm going to have both verses re-matted, but for now, these frames work fine. 





If you're looking for a particular scripture for your home, check out her shop!

"Mommy," she says so matter of factly, "when you go away, Daddy and I can get a cat."

"When I go away?!  Where am I going?"

"Well, Mommy, I don't know.  But when you go, me and Daddy, we're going to get a cat."


It's the love month.  And I'm not really feeling the love!

Dear You,

Congratulations, and welcome to the scariest, yet most fulfilling, time of your life.

Your baby is a gift, a real gift from God.  To remind you how wonderful you are and the faith that He has in you.  You have a chance, a chance to change the world, a chance to live pure love, a chance to let a little part of you live on. 

Your heart is no longer yours, it now belongs to a tiny person whose socks resemble tiny toothbrush covers.  This tiny person who needs you for every.little.thing., has no idea of their own power.  You will have some of the best days of your life with this little person, as well as moments where you have no idea how you will go on.  But you will. 

You're going to cry.  A lot.  You'll cry at commercials with babies, animals, and elderly people holding hands.  You'll cry looking at your child and wondering what on earth you did to deserve such love.  You'll cry when they cry, happy or sad.  You're going to cry because you have no idea what you are doing.  You're going to cry when baby is tired and when you're tired.  And boy, are you going to be tired. 

Yes, being tired is going to be part of your normal life.  Sleep is really challenging for a few months, sometimes longer, but it does get better.  Don't listen to what your friends say about their kids sleeping from day one, they're full of it.  Don't believe me?  Get on Facebook - it's full of parents who are tired and haven't slept in days.  Some are new parents, some are veterans, either way - parents don't sleep.

You're going to get stuff.  Lots and lots of stuff.  You don't need most of it and you won't use half of it.  Return anything you are hesitant about.  Don't keep gifts, especially stuffed animals, just because they are from someone that may mean a lot to you.  Don't be influenced to buy anything for your child because your friend has it and loves it.  Or because someone thinks it will be perfect in your child's room.  If you don't love it, chances are you will regret it later. 

You're going to get advice from people that you know and people that you don't, people who have kids and those who don't, because people are human and they are going to judge you.  They're going to judge everything little thing that you do.  Yes, their judgement hurts, but don't take it to heart.    Remember, they don't know anything about your current situation, they don't know your child like you do.  Don't offer them any information about anything, just smile and nod, and walk away.  Or hang up the phone.  Whatever you do don't listen to them because the haters will drive you mad.  You'll second guess what you are doing as a parent and that's the last thing that you need right now. 

Your relationships with others will change.  First things first, get some super glue, put it all over your hands, find your support system and hold on.  Ask for help when you need it, whether its a cup of coffee, someone to watch your baby while you nap, or someone to hold open the door for you at the store.  You can do this on your own, but you don't have too, you need people in your life.  Specifically, you need adult people in your life.  You and your husband will love and laugh like you never have before.  You will sit and talk about your child at the end of the day, but you also need to take time for the two of you. To honor your relationship and honor what started this tiny life.  You also need your friends.  The ones with kids to keep you grounded and make you feel normal and the ones without kids that you can live vicariously through.  You're going to argue with the people you love, mostly your parents and your husband, because you're tired and stressed out.  Don't worry, it's okay, this too is a stage, and it too will pass.

Leave your child with the people that you trust occasionally.  Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.  It's good for you and it's good for baby.  You need adult time to talk about something other than diapers and bottles.  You need time to sit back and drink a glass of wine with the people who can make you spit that wine out from laughing so hard.  You need time for you.  Every day.  Some people may not understand this, these are the same people who also say that their kids have slept through the night since day one.

You're not perfect, you hear me? You are not perfect. You're going to fail almost every day.  Luckily, most of the time, no one will ever know that you did. You're going to second guess that what you are doing for your child is really the best thing for your child, but if you're making the decision, it has to be what is best. Stand up for who and what you believe in. You're going to be a momma bear whether you like it or not.  You're going to worry about things that are so silly, but they are so important to you in that moment and that's okay.

You're going to learn a lot about yourself in the next few months.  Embrace it. 

Yes, life as you know it will change around you.  Accept it.  Accept that your husband will call you Mommy.  This new life is yours.  You can and will rock this.  Breathe.  Keep your head high.  Laugh a lot.  Cherish your little one, because they really do grow up too fast.  And don't forget who you are.  Ever.

Love,
Me

I'm having one of those days.

The kind of day where everyone I know has an opinion about how I should do things - what I should feed my child, what cold medicine I should be taking to kick the sickies that I have had for a month even after antibiotics, what I should name my baby, what I shouldn't name my baby, what kind of SUV I should get because my car will be too small for two kids.  Seriously. 

I don't deal with this well.  In fact, the more that they talk to me about it, the less likely that I am to do it.  I'm pretty opinionated (as if you didn't know this by now.)

I should be used to it. 

When you have a child, somehow that marks you for life as someone who needs to know everything about how to raise a child the right way aka not the way you are currently raising your child.  Complete strangers seem to tell you the strangest things in the middle of the shoe store, the pharmacy, the bathroom, and they always start with, "When I had kids..."  And it takes every fiber of my being to tell them, "Lady, you had kids 50 years ago."  or  "No, crazy wacked out smelly lady buying the all-organic deodordant that obviously does not work, I do not want your opinion about all natural soap." 

Yeah, I have issues.  I know.

The biggest issue right now is that everyone has an opinion about my second child.  It just bugs the crap out of me.  Because I don't remember seeing these people in the bedroom when she was made.  So really, they can kiss my ass.  I know she's going to be every bit of the spitfire that Cameryn is.  Because I am.  Because her daddy is.  And when she comes into this world hell on wheels, chomping at the bit, and ready to tackle all of life's little crazies, I'm going to be right behind her cheering her on.  And I can pretty much guarantee you that one day she'll tell you to take your opinions and kiss her ass.

Just like I'm telling people today.  Because they can.  Nicely, of course.

Cameryn became a daddy's girl overnight and the week of Christmas I became chopped liver.  At first I was okay with it. I had been the "it" girl for three years, I wanted the break.  I needed the break. 

I loved that she didn't want me to bathe her or tuck her in.  I now had 30 extra minutes each night for me and it was a welcome change.  I loved that when she was crying, I could stand by and watch, instead of being the one to run and dry her tears.  I loved that I wasn't the one reading ten books to her while listening to Max and Ruby in the background. I loved that it wasn't me being force fed goldfish and fruit snacks, having tea parties with the Disney Princesses, and being told where to hide for a game of Hide n Seek.  I loved that I was able to walk out of the house without being covered in syrup kisses and powdered sugar handprints.

And then, it wasn't so fun anymore.  I felt a little left out.  I wasn't the one that she was so excited to see when she woke up.  I wasn't the one making her eyes light up when I walked in the door from work.  I wasn't the one that was able to comfort her.  In fact, most times, she cringed when I would try to hug her.  She screamed when I tried to help her.  She only wanted her Daddy to hold her, hug her, laugh with her.

My momma heart was breaking a little bit each time.  I was missing out on all of the mundane day to day moments that I once complained about before; my little girl was growing up and I was missing it.  The rush came to me all at once, the tears started flowing and I realized that I only had a few more months with just the three of us.  I know that I won't love Cameryn any less or baby Jane Doe any more, but there was this overwhelming feeling to soak up every minute of every day.  I wanted, desperately, to be a part of her funny little life.  I knew, deep down, that it was temporary, but every single time she said, "Don't touch me!  I want Daddy!", I broke.

And then, about twelve days after it all started, it happened.  I became part of her world again.  Last night she came running through the door with a big smile on her face, yelling "MOMMMMMMY!" 

Sweet, sweet relief.  That strawberry lollipop covered kiss never felt so sticky.

Several weeks ago, I took Cameryn to Target where we picked up a few items and I let her browse through the toy section watching her eyes light up at everything princess.  She always goes through every box of princess barbies searching for Jasmine from Aladdin.  That girl is hard to find.  So, there we were looking at toys for her cousin when I saw her shoved behind some legos.  I quickly snatched her up and put her into our cart, hiding her from Cameryn, while silently singing "Hallelujah!" because the one thing that Cameryn wanted for Christmas is now in my possession. 

Cameryn asked Santa for a princess castle and a Jasmine Barbie.  The princess castle crisis was adverted a few weeks ago when my mom bailed on the gift because she wanted something more "educational."   The problem with the castle?  You cannot find it anywhere in the stores, so it must be ordered online.  I stalked the castle on Amazon for a few days, trying to figure out what to do and if one of the other grandparents wanted to get the castle for Cameryn (with four sets of grandparents, gift giving can be a little crazy)  and finally I ordered it because this castle was going like hotcakes (there were 20 one day, 10 the next day at lunch, and 8 twenty minutes later when I was talking to Chris on the phone.)  This was the BIG thing that Cameryn wanted for Christmas and one way or another, she was getting it. 
Christmas crisis adverted.  Whew!

Jasmine barbie?  Check. 
Princess castle?  Check.
Happy Kid on Christmas?  Definitely.

Fast forward to Sunday afternoon.  We had to drop by the old roommates house because they are spending the next two weeks out of town with their family and they forgot the lizard and asked if we would watch it.  Not exactly my idea of a pet, but whatever.  They mentioned that Cameryn's gift was laying by the front door, could we wrap it and give it to her for them?  Chris brings it home and I immediately said, "Are you kidding me?!"  They gave her the Disney Princess Ultimate Doll Collection - the pack of 7 princess barbies.  It's an incredibly generous gift for Cameryn and she is going to love it.

But.  Jasmine is included.  So what do I do?  Do I take mine back or do I let her keep both of them? 

It's ridiculous really.  I'm fretting over a Jasmine barbie.  Chris and I only give Cameryn three presents (and one Santa gift, so 4 total gifts from us), so I hate to give her one that she is already going to receive. 

Seriously.
This is my big problem right now.
Silly, huh?

Have you seen this video making the rounds?  What a heartbreaking reality this is for many kids these days.  I hate it.  The shit talking that kids engage in now, for no apparent reason other than to just do it, is ridiculous.  Jonah states that his bullying started in the first grade.  The freaking first grade.  Where do first graders even learn this behavior?  Children should be taught kindness and tolerance, and our job, as parents and role models, is to teach them. 

I also wonder how his parents feel watching the video.  Did they know that he contemplated suicide?  And, if so, did they do or not do anything?  Do they realize what an incredible kid they have?  Which brings me to another thought - how do we protect our kids without overprotecting them?  When do we step in and stand up for our kids and when do we sit silently and scream obscenities in our head? 

I see glimpses of trash talking (already!) in the life of my own child.  I will ask about her day and she will tell me that she didn't play with two of her friends today and when I ask why it's because one friend said that,  "She told me she wasn't my best friend and I should go away.  She was mean."  My heart breaks for my kid, her friends are a whole three and a half years old.  I know the girl's parents, it's not like she comes from a "bad" home, where did she learn this?  So, I do the only thing I can, I ask Cameryn how it made her feel and when she says, 'Sad', I ask who she played with instead.  When she tells me her other little friend at school, I say, 'Oh, she's a nice girl, did you have fun?'  We don't dwell on the bad things.  I encourage her to play with all of her friends, even though some of them are apparently total buttheads one day and they are back to being BFF's the next.  She's three.  The social order shouldn't be established yet, but apparently, it's in the workings.  My kid is strong, smart, beautiful.  We don't use the words stupid, fat, or ugly.  We talk about exercise and foods that are good for your body.  I don't talk about my stuggles with my own self image around her.  I struggled with my identity growing up, never really fitting in anywhere, with any particular group.  My goal is to present a stronger front for my child than what was presented to me in order for her to grow up feeling like a strong, powerful, young woman. 

Do any of you watch Parenthood on NBC?  One of the boys on the show has Aspergers and is being made fun of at school without realizing it.  The mom does and she steps in and confronts the boy who is doing the bullying.  While the boy on Parenthood probably cannot stand up for himself due to his condition, some kids can, and some need to learn when to fight their own fights and when to turn to an adult for help.  Watching this play out on tv, I thought to myself, 'She is SO out of line!  She should not have confronted that boy, he's not hurting her son physically, therefore, she needs to butt out and go confront the parent!  Go to the school administration, something!' Whereas a friend of mine thought, 'Yes!  Do it! Stand up for your kid!' 

Do you remember being bullied as a child? Was it even classified as bullying or were we told to suck it up and deal with it when our so-called friends were acting like fools? I think it was probably the latter, but I also feel as if what we call bullying today has been taken to another level.  What a fine line we must walk as parents.  We're an overprotective bunch, like lions guarding their cubs from hyenas.  We don't let our kids get out of our sight in fear out of what might happen.  The world that we live in has changed, so much, since we were young.    Yet, at the same time, we must let go.  We must let them learn on their own how to navigate this strange world and the people in it.  But sometimes, I really, really don't want to.

My friends and I always joke about what will happen when our kids find out that Santa isn't real.  Because, at some point in time, your kids are going to ask about the jolly guy and his reindeer.  What do you say?  How do you let them down easy?  We joke that our kids are going to be a pissed off bunch and probably won't like us for a little while, which may result in a few quiet moments around the house that we, as parents, may really enjoy.  Kidding... Maybe.

I don't remember when I found out that Santa wasn't real, nor do I remember how I felt. I do know that my brother kept the secret from me for a little while, so that was nice.  Do you remember when your parents/siblings dropped the bomb on you?

I came across this post yesterday and I thought that I would share it because I think it's probably one of the best explanations ever.

***
from Maybe Probably Means Not

A few months back, the Tooth Fairy got busted. She left a note for Alice up on her computer, and Lucy figured the whole business out. The Tooth Fairy cursed her need to write notes in elaborate fonts and tried to come up with a cover story, but it didn’t fool Lucy.

To her credit, Lucy has kept the secret from her little sister, who still hasn’t lost a tooth and deserves to wake up with money under her pillow.

But the Tooth Fairy knew it couldn’t be too long before Santa was similarly unmasked. She didn’t know when or how, but she knew the days of magic in her house, at least magic of a certain sort, were coming to an end.

And the Tooth Fairy—by which I mean myself—was pretty darned sad about the inevitable, which finally arrived last week.

Lucy and I have been exchanging notes since the school year started. We’ve talked about all sorts of things—sports, books we’d like to read, adventures we’d like to have, even stories from when I was in third grade. For the most part, though, it’s been light, casual stuff. Until last week.

I NEED TO KNOW, she wrote, using capital letters for emphasis. ARE YOU SANTA? TELL ME THE TRUTH.

What do you do when your kid asks for the truth? You tell it, of course, doing your best to figure out a way that keeps at least some of the magic intact.

Here’s what I wrote:

---

Dear Lucy,

Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: “Are you Santa?”

I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.

The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.

I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Daddy helps, too.)

I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.

This won’t make you Santa, though.

Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.

It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.

Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy.

With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.

So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.

I love you and I always will.
Mama

A Child's Ten Commandments to Parents by Dr. Kevin Leman

1.  My hands are small; please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.
2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely. Don't restrict me unnecessarily.
3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little for a short time, please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world and do so willingly.
4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs. Don't nag me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you would like to be treated.
5. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.
6. I need your encouragement to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.
7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I'll be prepared to make the kinds of decisions that life requires of me.
8. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me to my brother or sister.
9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.
10. Please take me to church regularly, setting a good example for me to follow. I enjoy learning more about God.