poems2

PART 2: POEMS The theme of the poems and sayings below is "parenting." These also come to us from Donna Larson. "Everyday I Have My Child to Raise Over Again"by Diane Loomans Every day I have my child to raise all over again.I will build self-esteem first, and the house later.I will finger-paint more, and point the finger less.I will do less correcting, and more connecting.I will take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.I will care to know less, and know to care more.I will take more hikes, and fly more kites.I will stop playing serious, and seriously play.I will run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.I will do more hugging, and less tugging.I will see the oak tree in the acorn more often.I will be firm less often, and affirm much more.I will model less about the love of power, and more about the power of love.

It will be gone before you know it. The fingerprints on the wall appearhigher and higher. Then suddenly they disappear. Dorothy Evslin Mothers give their children a legacy to carry forever--gifts of theheart....hopes, dreams, values, love. Penny Snyder Our family is a circle of strength and love. With every birth and everyunion, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every crisisfaced together makes the circle stronger. The love between a mother and child is a priceless treasure, growing morebeautiful with every passing year. Thomas J. Langley Life Lessons you can learn from your children: Play more. Be curious. Getall wrapped up in what you're doing. Even the littlest things can bringyou pleasure. Children: a promise and a possibility. A parent's job is to keep her child's cup of self-esteem so full that therest of the world can't poke enough holes in it to drain it dry. Children grow up to be the love they have known.

"A Mother's Love is Special"A mother's love is understanding, patient, kind, and undemanding.Quick to give encouragement and thoughtful words of praise....A mother's love is warm and gentle, generous and sentimental...A Mother's love is precious in so many special ways.Amanda Bradley

Children Are Like KitesYou spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with themuntil you're both breathless. They crash. You add a longer tail. They hitthe rooftop. You pluck them out of the spout. You patch and comfort,adjust and teach. You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them thatsomeday they'll fly!... Finally they are airborne, but they need more stringand you keep letting it out and with each twist of the ball of twine, thereis a sadness that goes with the joy because the kite becomes more distantand somehow you know that it won't be long before that beautiful creaturewill snap the life line that bound you together and soar as it was meant tosoar: FREE AND ALONE. Erma Bombeck Hugs are practically perfect: they have no batteries to wear out, noperiodic check-ups, low energy consumption, high energy yield, no monthlypayments, no insurance requirements, no pesticides, no preservatives, noartificial ingredients; they are 100% wholesome and pure, naturally sweet,theft-rooof, non-taxable, non-polluting, and of course, fully returnable. Lifetime Memories for Our ChildrenPause with your child—when others hurry by;Walk with your child—when others are running;Smile with your child—when others can only find frowns;Listen to your child—when others appear preoccupied;Talk with your child—when others prefer shouting;Hug your child—when others fail to sense the power of touch;Read with your child—when others have forsaken curiosity;Play with your child—when others prefer being entertained;Apologize to your child—when others pretend perfection;Dream with your child—when others have become too cynical.by Dr. Anthony Witham, The American Family Institute

Donna and I invite you to e-mail your favorite poems, sayings, or words of wisdom to post below. Please give credit where due if you can:
Chris M sent me this piece she wrote during her sophomore year in collegeEvery child is different. Each has his or her own special qualities. It is my job to bring out individual talents, whatever they may be. It is my job to help children reach their fullest potential and raise their self esteem. I'm not there to correct or to punish, I'm there to teach, to love and to give them courage to face the world. They are young and full of hope. I want to be one of the people in their lives to help them realize their dreams. That is why I teach.

Two poems from Linda, in England:
I thought you might like these for your "Poems" page. I found it in a magazine years ago, and in 1993, I converted it into a cross-stitch sampler which takes pride of place in our living room. Our two sons, now aged 11 and 13, still take the time to read it.

Our HomeSome houses try to hide the fact that children shelter thereOurs boasts of it quite openly, the signs are everywhereFor smears are on the windows, little smudgies on the doorI should apologise I guess for toys strewn on the floorBut I sat down with the children and we played and laughed and readAnd if the windows do not shine, their eyes will shine insteadFor when at times I'm forced to choose the one job or the otherI want to be a housewife, but first I'll be a Mother.
This poem was in our oldest son's Christening card over 13 years ago. A New BabyIf you give your child the blessing of tender loving care,and show him too the joys there are when families give and share.If you can help him see the rainbow when a cloud comes into view,encourage him with hopes and dreams and help them to come true. If you can teach your child to see the good in everything,
you'll have given him the prefect gift -- the love that parents bring.

Nicole Murgo, in Bristol, Rhode Island shares this favorite poem with us:

Just Playing
(Printed with permission from Author Anita Wadley; Please see her website at: JUSTPlayingPoem.com)

When I'm building in the block room,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play,
About balance, I may be an architect someday.

When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm "Just Playing."
I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say, "He is Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I just might be a teacher someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some "playing" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "Just Play."
I'm learning to follow directions and see the differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse, or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today,
And I say, "I just played."
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I am a child and my work is play.

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