If I had my child to raise over again

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

by Diane Loomans

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'd 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.



I put this poem here, to remind myself and anyone else, about some of the things that are easy to forget. I had some encouragements not to different from this, when my kids were very very little... It made a great impression on me to try to remember all the little things in their lives that can make a difference, and that could be easy to minimize. When I look at how big they are getting now, I am amazed at how fast it is flying by. Now, now is the time. :)
Thanks to Diane Loomans for her encouragements to us all, through her poem here.