ABCs of Parents | ABCs and alphabets

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A is for Arms, Arms that hold and Arms that support and Arms that push when they have to.
A is for Arms, Arms that hold and Arms that support and Arms that push when they have to.
B is for Books, which belong in every home; and for Boredom, which can't stay long if Books are there.
B is for Books, which belong in every home; and for Boredom, which can't stay long if Books are there.
C is for the Children; and the Caring and the Crying, which sometimes come together all at once.
C is for the Children; and the Caring and the Crying, which sometimes come together all at once.
D is for Doors, which you sometimes have to help them open and through which they have to go someday never to return unchanged; and for Discipline and Dignity, which you owe every child.
D is for Doors, which you sometimes have to help them open and through which they have to go someday never to return unchanged; and for Discipline and Dignity, which you owe every child.
E is for Everything you hope for them; for the Easier you hope it will be for them; and for Education, which should take place at least as much at home as in school.
E is for Everything you hope for them; for the Easier you hope it will be for them; and for Education, which should take place at least as much at home as in school.
F is for Foolish mistakes you make with your kids; and for the Freedom they must have to make their own.
F is for Foolish mistakes you make with your kids; and for the Freedom they must have to make their own.
G is for Grandparents, who can add tradition and wisdom to children's lives; and for Growth, which parents and kids can experience together.
G is for Grandparents, who can add tradition and wisdom to children's lives; and for Growth, which parents and kids can experience together.
H is for Home, which sometimes is the only place where a child feels wanted and loved.
H is for Home, which sometimes is the only place where a child feels wanted and loved.
I is for Ignorance, which darkens the world and is sometimes mistaken for Innocence.
I is for Ignorance, which darkens the world and is sometimes mistaken for Innocence.
J is for Jealousy, which creeps into so many relationships; and for Joy, which can put it out.
J is for Jealousy, which creeps into so many relationships; and for Joy, which can put it out.
K is for Kickball, and tag and hide-and-seek and all those other adult-less games kids need to play; and for Kissing, and hugging which nobody does enough of.
K is for Kickball, and tag and hide-and-seek and all those other adult-less games kids need to play; and for Kissing, and hugging which nobody does enough of.
L is for Love, of course.
L is for Love, of course.
M is for the Memory all parents have of what childhood was like for them; and for Money, which can never substitute for love no matter how lavishly given; and for Manners, which make living easier.
M is for the Memory all parents have of what childhood was like for them; and for Money, which can never substitute for love no matter how lavishly given; and for Manners, which make living easier.
N is for Nurturing, the giving of love and care which only sometimes comes naturally.
N is for Nurturing, the giving of love and care which only sometimes comes naturally.
O is for Occupation, which takes so much of your time; and for the Openness that exists when kids and parents really work at it.
O is for Occupation, which takes so much of your time; and for the Openness that exists when kids and parents really work at it.
P is for Presents, which are easy to give; and for Presence, which is harder; and for Parenthood, which is only partly a biological function; and for the Patience it takes to see you through it.
P is for Presents, which are easy to give; and for Presence, which is harder; and for Parenthood, which is only partly a biological function; and for the Patience it takes to see you through it.
Q is for Questions, which are so easy to turn off and so hard to turn back on.
Q is for Questions, which are so easy to turn off and so hard to turn back on.
R is for Rest, which never comes while the kids are young; and for Reward, which you get when you get when you look in their faces or hold their hands.
R is for Rest, which never comes while the kids are young; and for Reward, which you get when you get when you look in their faces or hold their hands.
S is for Summer, which seems endless; and for School, where you ought to feel welcome; for the Stories you know but seldom tell; and for Shoulders, which sometimes are drenched with tears.
S is for Summer, which seems endless; and for School, where you ought to feel welcome; for the Stories you know but seldom tell; and for Shoulders, which sometimes are drenched with tears.
T is for Time, which there never seems to be enough of; and for Teachers who try to understand.
T is for Time, which there never seems to be enough of; and for Teachers who try to understand.
U is for the Upper hand, which you try so hard to keep; and for the Understanding that you try so hard to have.
U is for the Upper hand, which you try so hard to keep; and for the Understanding that you try so hard to have.
V is for the Virtue of overcoming all those roadblocks life seems to throw just when everything's going well.
V is for the Virtue of overcoming all those roadblocks life seems to throw just when everything's going well.
W is for the Whys, which can drive you up the wall; and the Wisdom it takes to answer them.
W is for the Whys, which can drive you up the wall; and the Wisdom it takes to answer them.
X is for the X ray of the broken bone you both cried over; and for the Xtra love it takes to be a parent.
X is for the X ray of the broken bone you both cried over; and for the Xtra love it takes to be a parent.
Y is for Yelling which helps only temporarily; and for being Young which is only partly a matter of Years.
Y is for Yelling which helps only temporarily; and for being Young which is only partly a matter of Years.
Z is for the end, the end of alphabets, the end of childhood, but never the end of love.
Z is for the end, the end of alphabets, the end of childhood, but never the end of love.
Everything I need to know I learned from my Parents ...
Everything I need to know I learned from my Parents A - to Admire the best in everyone B - to see Beauty everywhere C - to be Caring D - I Delight in being your Daughter E - to be Ethical F - to know what a Fantastic Father is G - to be Generous H - to be Honest I - to hold high Ideals J - to be a Jack-of-all trades (know how to deal with everything) K - to be Kind L - to Love much, Live well, and Laugh often M - to know what a Marvelous Mother is N - to be a Nice Neighbor O - to always have Oodles of projects (idle hands...you know) P - to have a Practical approach to life's challenges Q - that Quality is better than quantity R - to be Responsible in all things S - that no Sacrifice is too great for those you love T - to Trust and be Trustworthy U - to be Understanding V - to Volunteer your time and talents W - to learn from the Wisdom of others X - that you can never give nor receive too many XXX's and OOO's Y - to always be Young-at-heart Z - and Zillions and Zillions of other little lessons along the way