Most of us would do more for our babies than we have ever been willing to do for anyone, even ourselves.

Especially with our first child, we tend to take too much responsibility--both credit and blame--for everything. The more we wantto be good parents, the more we tend to see ourselves as making or breaking our children.

Awareness of having better things to do with their lives is the secret to immunizing our children against false values--whether presented on television or in "real life." The child who finds fulfillment in music or reading or cooking or swimming or writing or drawing is not as easily convinced that he needs recognition or power or some "high" to feel worthwhile.

Most of us would do more for our babies than we have ever been willing to do for anyone, even ourselves.

My list of things I never pictured myself saying when I pictured myself as a parent has grown over the years.

If your children see that you are seeking, they will seek-the finding part is up to God.

We do not have to get our children to learn; only to allow and encourage them in their learning. We do not have to dictate what they should learn; only to discern and respond to what it is that they are learning. Such responsiveness is at once the most educational and the most loving.