Prayer of a Teenager's Parent

Our daughter's Catholic high school posted this prayer today and we just had to share it with our readers. Really well done!

Dear God,

Help me remember the strongest influence

I have on my teenager's way of life,

Is the example I set with my life.

Help me enjoy these years as they question everything,

Explore their growing independence, 

and discover themselves.

Help me focus on the person my teenager is on the inside,

not on the outside appearance.

Help me give attention to the "little things" 

so they will come to me with the "big things"

Help me teach them accountability

and resist the temptation to protect them 

from the natural consequences of their actions.

Help me whisper 

when I feel like yelling

and hug when I feel like pushing them away.

Help me show them that,

even when I don't agree with what they think or do,

I will always love and accept them.

Help me know when a problem

 is too big to be handled within our home,

and not be afraid to reach outside for help.

Help me allow my teenagers the room to expand 

their experiences while still providing them the security

of well defined boundaries.

Help me truly listen by focusing on their priorities

and how they see the world. 

Help me remember that when I was a teenager,

I made mistakes and had to find my own way.

Lord, help me remember the best gifts

I can give my teenager are 

my time, my love, my attention

and my approval. 

Amen.

Take Photos of Your Kids Before Heading Into Crowds

This is one of those tips you hope you'll never have to use, but it can make a huge difference if you do.

No parent wants to think about losing track of their kids in a crowd, but it's best to be prepared just in case.

Reddit user Ozstriker has a simple and excellent idea: use your iPhone or Android phone to take a picture of your children before heading to the beach or amusement park.  If you get separated, you'll be able to show good samaritans a very recent photo of your kid wearing that day's outfit. 

What Do We Want To Accomplish As Parents?

I always say it... it is a miracle that we made it to adulthood in one piece!

Show this excellent video to your children and try to help them grasp how the world was before they were born just a few decades ago. Use it to help them understand why we want them to go out and play, to explore, to take risks (according to their age, of course).

We have to always remind ourselves that we are not raising children, we are raising confident, centered and independent adults that,  in just a few years, will have to fend for themselves in this complicated world.  We can only hope and pray that we do a good enough job, so they can lead a fulfilling and joyful rest of their lives.

Enjoy!

The Importance of Roughhousing!

Excellent video post that we agree with completely...

20 Thoughts To Live a Better Life

1 * Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!

2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4 * Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5 * If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8 * Never buy a car you can't push.

9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

10 * Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

11 * Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.

13 * When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.
 

 17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

19 * Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY

20 *Save the earth..... It's the only planet with chocolate!

What Kind of Man or Woman Should You Be?

Be the kind of man or woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says:   "Oh crap, they're up!"

Reminders for the New Year ( from our parish's weekly bulletin, with no attribution - we loved it!)

The best day: Today

The greatest obstacle: Fear

The easiest thing to do: Find faults in others

The most useless quality: Pride

The biggest mistake: To give up

The greatest impediment: Selfishness

The best satisfaction: A work well done

The most disagreeable person: A big complainer

The worst bankruptcy:  The loss of enthusiasm

The greatest need: Common sense

The most unpleasant feeling: Envy of one's neighbor

The best gift: Forgiveness

The most important moment: Death

The greatest force in the world: Love