In the meantime, my mother-in-law sent me this really beautiful prayer last week that I've just now had a chance to sit and read over. Its one of the best prayers I've ever read and it hits my nail on the head today:
Most Loving Father, the example of parenthood,
You have entrusted our children to us to bring them up for you
And prepare them for everlasting life.
Assist us with your grace,
That we may fulfill this sacred duty with competence and love.
Teach us what to give and what to withhold.
Show us when to reprove, when to praise, and when to be silent.
Make us gentle and considerate
Yet firm and watchful.
Keep us from the weakness of indulgence and the excess of severity.
Give us the courage to be disliked sometimes by our children
When we must do necessary things which are displeasing in their eyes.
Give us the imagination to enter their world in order to understand and to guide them.
Grant us all the virtues we need to lead them by word and example,
In the ways of wisdom and piety.
One day, with them, may we enter into the joys
Of our true and lasting home with you in heaven.
Amen.
You have entrusted our children to us to bring them up for you
And prepare them for everlasting life.
Assist us with your grace,
That we may fulfill this sacred duty with competence and love.
Teach us what to give and what to withhold.
Show us when to reprove, when to praise, and when to be silent.
Make us gentle and considerate
Yet firm and watchful.
Keep us from the weakness of indulgence and the excess of severity.
Give us the courage to be disliked sometimes by our children
When we must do necessary things which are displeasing in their eyes.
Give us the imagination to enter their world in order to understand and to guide them.
Grant us all the virtues we need to lead them by word and example,
In the ways of wisdom and piety.
One day, with them, may we enter into the joys
Of our true and lasting home with you in heaven.
Amen.
