Take a moment to listen today

to what your children are trying to say,

Listen to them, whatever you do

or they won’t be there to listen to you.

Listen to their problems, listen to their needs

Praise their smallest triumphs, praise their littlest deeds;

Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter,

Find out what’s the matter, find out what they’re after.

If we tell our children all the bad in them we see,

They’ll grow up exactly how we hoped they’d never be;

But if we tell our children we’re so proud to wear their name,

They’ll grow up believing that they’re winners in the game.

So tell them that you love them every single night;

And though you scold them make sure you hold them

and tell them they’re all right, “Good night, happy dreams,

Tomorrow’s looking bright.”

Take a moment to listen today to what

your children are trying to say

Listen to them whatever you do, and

They’ll be there to listen to you.

Denis Waitley