Happiness, health, and a love of learning.

For DS specifically, that he has outgrown his kidney blockage, we will find out next Tuesday.

Anonymous wrote:happiness, health and kindness towards others. i figure if they have those things, there'll be no police at the door! (I like that one!)

This exactly!

My first thought:

Love, Peace and SOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUULL!

I am making sure my DD is growing up in an environment much different than my growing-up years. She already has so much happiness and confidence that I can't imagine I ever felt.

I'd like to give her a mom who sees the world as she sees it -- an exciting, fun place filled with opportunities, friends and love. I'm getting there!

I always think of it as "healthy, happy, not an asshole."

6 Year old boy:
1. Happiness
2. A sense of humor
3. Ability to get through difficult situations

happiness, health and kindness towards others. i figure if they have those things, there'll be no police at the door! (I like that one!)

1. to raise a child who has integrity
2. that he is kind to others
3. that he always know how loved he is

7 month old DD.

this is what I want for her:
1. happiness
2. health (and a clean, healthy, tree-filled environment)
3. knowing she can change the world

So things I could *improve* about their lives? Let me see...

Girl age 4

1. Confidence to try try try (even if failure is possible); I guess I'm thinking specifically about swimming lessons, here.
2. Confidence to join in play a group of children her age whom she doesn't know (sometimes she holds back when I *know* she wants to play)
3. Increased empathy and ability to negotiate with her peers (I know, she's only four, so no big deal really -- I think she's actually pretty good at it, you know, for a four year old!)


I think that's it. She seems like she's a pretty happy kid. So far.

The ability to always tell the truth and have integrity
Joy in small things
Outgrow ADHD medication

Happiness, health, compassion

1. INQUISITIVENESS to help them search for what they want/need in life.

2. TRUST in themselves that whatever they put their heart and mind to, they can achieve.

3. JOY...so they can look back and be happy and proud of their life and accomplishments.

Anonymous wrote:I don't mean to sound corny, but I am struck by how my dad used to judge success:

(1) The kids are happy, (2) The kids are healthy, and (3) the police aren't at the door.

If I can accomplish that, I'm pretty psyched.

+1. Used to have a job that studied crime and you realize that those are three very basic yet very, very important factors that are, sadly, not reality for many.

I don't mean to sound corny, but I am struck by how my dad used to judge success:

(1) The kids are happy, (2) The kids are healthy, and (3) the police aren't at the door.

If I can accomplish that, I'm pretty psyched.

Name three things you wish you could improve in your child(ren)'s life(ves). State age and gender for more context!

I wish I could give my 6 year-old daughter:
...healthier self-esteem so she would see herself for the amazing person she really is
...some special skill or talent to latch onto that she could call her own
...more one-on-one time

I wish I could give my 7 year-old son:
...the drive to do more things on his own and be self-reliant
...finer focus so he could pay attention to details
...a little humility