1. I will always love and respect my child for who she is and not who I want her to be.

2. I will give my child space-to grow, to dream, to succeed and even sometimes to fail.

3. I will create a loving home environment and show my child that she is loved, whenever and however I can.

4. I will, when discipline is necessary, let my child know that I disapprove of what she does, not who she is.

5. I will set limits for my child and help her find security in the knowledge of what is expected of her.

6. I will make time for my child and cherish our moments together, realizing how important-and fleeting-they are.

7. I will not burden my child with emotions and problems she is not equipped to deal with, remembering that I am the parent and she is the child.

8. I will encourage my child to experience the world and all it’s possibilities, guiding her in it’s ways and taking pains to leave her careful but not fearful.

9. I will take care of myself physically and emotionally, so that I can be there for my child when she needs me.

10. I will try to be the kind of person I want my child to grow up to be-loving, fair minded, moral, giving, and hopeful.

In the Garden of Gethsemane
Six precious words were born
A Father’s gift, from up on high
To soothe a spirit torn.

These were the words that Jesus prayed
Each time his spirit groaned,
As pictures of the Calvary cross
Portrayed his life atoned.

Those words were laced within his heart
They were his holding grace,
To walk a road, so long foretold
Among the human race.

One day when we all reach our goal
I’m sure these words we’ll find
Imprinted on a frame of gold

“Yours Will Be Done, Not Mine.”

- – - written by E.V. Stankowski RN

About the author: E.V. Stankowski is a RN of 22 years with an expertise in alcohol and drug dependency detox/rehab treatment. She has written two other collections; “Angel of Mercy Collection,” which are poems reflecting tributes to nurses and, the “Petals of Gold Collection,” which encompasses a variety of literary works.

Love is scaring away monsters in the middle of the night, then again at 1:00 a.m., 2:00 a.m!
Love is putting peanut butter on anything as long as they’ll eat it!

Love is knowing how to disguise vegetables 30 different ways.
Love is reading the same bedtime story for the 999th time.

Love is a hug around the knees.
Love is watching Mr. Rogers instead of All My Children.

Love is cutting off the crusts.
Love is a refrigerator covered with creative works of art.

Love is not grimacing through the dirtiest of diapers.
Love is trading in the Camero for a station wagon.

Love is the magic kiss that heals all owes.
Love is a cuddly kid in a blanket sleeper.

Love is the first kick, first smile, first laugh, first step, first anything.
Love is your child pointing to a picture of Christie Brinkley and saying “mama”.

Love is your child sound asleep, any child sound asleep.
Love is a macaroni necklace.

Love is wearing the macaroni necklace to church with pride.
Love is a peanut butter kiss, a syrup kiss, a chocolate kiss, any kind of kiss.

Love is when Bert & Ernie replace Robert Redford & Tom Selleck as your most admired men.
Love is not worrying about those few extra pounds cuz they make you more cuddly.

Love is knowing how to get out amoxicillin stains.
Love is a bouquet of dandelions.
Love is the smell of a baby’s neck.

Love is saying no at the right times when it is easier to say yes.
Love is saying yes at the right times when it’s easier to say no.