being a parent

When we choose to be parents,
we accept another human being as part of ourselves,
and a large part of our emotional selves
will stay with that person as long as we live.
From that time on,
there will be another person on this earth whose orbit around us
will affect us as surely as the moon affects the tides,
and affect us in some ways more deeply than anyone else can.
Our children are extensions of ourselves.

~Fred Rogers

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
-Diane Loomans