A Parent's 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.

Make me as courteous to them
as I would have them be to me
Give me the courage to ask of them forgiveness,
when I know that I have done them wrong.

May I not hurt the feelings of my children.
Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes
or to use shame and ridicule as punishment.

Guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate
by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.
May I cease to nag; and when I am out of sorts,
help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.

Blind me to the little errors of my children
and help me to see the good tings that they do.
Help me to say words of honest praise.

Help to treat my children as those of their own age,
nut 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.

May I grant all of their wishes that are reasonable
and always have the courage to withhold a privilege
that I know will do them harm.