A Guide to Parenting
1) Listen when I talk.
Listen for the words I am scared to say,
Listen for the words I dare not bring into the world.
2) Hug me.
Hug me when I yell,
Hug me when I shut down.
Hug me even when I ask you not to.
3) Forgive me.
Forgive me when I hurt you.
Forgive me when I hurt myself.
4) Teach me.
Teach me the power of sweet words,
Teach me how to love endlessly,
Teach me how to let go.
5) Believe in me.
Believe in me when I tell you I want to go on adventures.
Believe in me when I tell you I am broken and cannot move.
6) Show me.
Show me how to be strong.
Show me how to move on.
Show me how to live.
7) Call me.
Call me when you have news.
Call me when you don’t.
8) Know me.
Know what I hold closest to my heart.
Know what will break me without fail.
Know my favorite color.
9) Hold me tight.
Hold me tight even when I struggle to leave.
Hold me tight even when I cut you deep.
10) Love me.
Love me when it is easy.
Love me when it is hard.
Love me when I can’t.
Listen for the words I am scared to say,
Listen for the words I dare not bring into the world.
2) Hug me.
Hug me when I yell,
Hug me when I shut down.
Hug me even when I ask you not to.
3) Forgive me.
Forgive me when I hurt you.
Forgive me when I hurt myself.
4) Teach me.
Teach me the power of sweet words,
Teach me how to love endlessly,
Teach me how to let go.
5) Believe in me.
Believe in me when I tell you I want to go on adventures.
Believe in me when I tell you I am broken and cannot move.
6) Show me.
Show me how to be strong.
Show me how to move on.
Show me how to live.
7) Call me.
Call me when you have news.
Call me when you don’t.
8) Know me.
Know what I hold closest to my heart.
Know what will break me without fail.
Know my favorite color.
9) Hold me tight.
Hold me tight even when I struggle to leave.
Hold me tight even when I cut you deep.
10) Love me.
Love me when it is easy.
Love me when it is hard.
Love me when I can’t.