Friday, June 26

Tips for Parents Everywhere


Drawing by a Turkish child.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately

wanted to paint another one.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.






12 comments:

Ginnie said...

This is so true, Judy. Little eyes see an awful lot and little ears can hear a lot too. I love the picture.

Pat said...

One of my earliest memories was seeing my Gran - every night, when I stayed with her, kneeling in front of her armchair to say her prayers before we went to bed. The habit has stayed with me although I am more likely to be walking in the garden, rather than kneeling.

srp said...

What every mother hopes her child will say to her someday.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

Recently, Sissy has begun a prolific art career. I hung a really good one on the fridge. Now, they all hang on the fridge! :-)(she keeps putting up each and every masterpiece).

bobbie said...

There could be no better advice for parents than to let them know how important their actions are - even when they think their children aren't looking.

Beverly said...

Life values are often caught rather than taught, aren't they. Wonderful. I could only hope that my children would say that to me.

Arkansas Patti said...

I just wish I had said that to my Mom. She never knew how much her examples formed me.

colleen said...

People are basically good. It's so often the little things that add up and count.

Nancy said...

I am always amazed when one of my children who are now adults tell me something they remember happening when they were very young.

I had always thought that they didn't understand what was going on at the time but apparently they did know and had actually learned a lesson from it.

Good for you for reminding your readers that their children are listening and watching what they do.

Beverly said...

Wonderful...

invisible said...

When you thought I wasn't looking, and you did Mommy and Daddy things with the mailman. I got a Pony for not telling Daddy.

Shephard said...

very nice... :)
~S