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 I can keep up with you.
2. My eyes have not seen the world as your's have; please
let me explore safely; don't restrict me unnecessairly.
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 inquistiveness.)
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 guidlines to live by, and disciplining me
in a loving manner.
6. I need your encouragement but not your praise to grow.
Please go easy on the critisim; remember, you can criticize the things I do withiut criticizing me.
7. Please give me the freedom to make dicisions concerining myself. Permit me to fail
so that I can learn from my mistakes. Than someday i'll be prepared to make the kind 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 that it's hard, but please don't try to compare me with my brother or sister.
9. Please don't be afraid to leave for the weekend together. Kids need vacation from parents,
just like parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show
us kids that your marriage is very special.
10. Please tke me to Sunday School and Church regualarly,
setting a good example for me to follow. I enjoy learning about God!
A weary mother returned from the store,
Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.
Awaiting her arrival was her eight-year-old son,
Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.
"While I was out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall!
It's on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I told him you'd be mad at having to do it again."
She let out a moan and furrowed her brow.
"Where is your little brother right now?"
She emptied her arms and with a purposeful stride,
She marched to his closet where he had gone to hide.
She called his full name as she entered his room.
He trembled with fear -- he knew that meant doom!
For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved
About the expensive wallpaper and how she had saved.
Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,
She condemned his actions and total lack of care.
The more she scolded, the madder she got,
Then stomped from his room, totally distraught!
She headed for the den to confirm her fears.
When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.
The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.
It said, "I love Mommy," surrounded by a heart.
Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it,
With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.
A reminder to her, and indeed to all,
Take time to read the handwriting on the wall!!
