PARENTS’ PRAYER

Oh, God, make me a better parent.

Help me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them, talking back to them and contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Give me the courage to confess my sins against my children and to ask of them forgiveness, when I know that I have done them wrong.

May I not vainly hurt the feelings of my children. Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment. Let me not tempt a child to lie and steal. So guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.

Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. May I cease to nag; and when I am out of sorts, help me, Oh Lord, to hold my tongue.

Blind me to the little errors of my children and help me to see the good things that they do. Give me a ready word for honest praise.

Help me to treat my children as those of their own age, but let me not exact of them the judgments and conventions of adults. Allow me not to rob them of the opportunity to wait upon themselves, to think, to choose, and to make decisions.

Forbid that I should ever punish them for my selfish satisfaction. May I grant them all of their wishes that are reasonable and have the courage always to withhold a privilege which I know will do them harm.

Make me so fair and just, so considerate and companionable to my children that they will have a genuine esteem for me. Fit me to be loved and imitated by my children.

With all thy gifts, Oh God, do give me calm and poise and self control.

By Garry Cleveland Myers, P.H.D.
Co-Founder Highlights for Children

 

THE PARENTS’ PLEDGE

• I will set a good example for my child
• I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection
• I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say
• I will praise my child’s accomplishments and efforts towards accomplishments
• I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences
• I will respect my children as individuals even if I don’t always agree with them
• I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another
• I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile, and valuable human beings.

Source: The Bureau for At-Risk Youth, 645 New York Avenue, Huntington, NY, USA