Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic
that motivates a parent, I will tell them:
I loved you enough to ask where you were going, with whom, and
what time you would be home.
I loved you enough to insist that you save your money and buy a
bike for yourself even though we could afford to buy one for you.
I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your
new best friend was a creep.
I loved you enough to make you go pay for the bubble gum you had
taken and tell the clerk, "I stole this yesterday and want to pay
for it".
I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you
cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes.
I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment and tears
in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents are not
perfect.
I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your
actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke
my heart.
But most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when I knew you
would hate me for it.
Those were the most difficult battles of all. I am glad I won
them, because in the end you won, too.
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