A Child's 10 Commandments For Parents

Every day as parents, we’re dishing out a list of rules and commandments to our kids; do this, don’t do that. Use your manners. Clean up behind you. Don’t put your fingers there. Play nicely with one another. Make sure to share your toys. Don’t ride the dog like a pony.

Often times I’ve wondered what our little kids are thinking in return but don’t have the ability to verbalize. If we have our daily list of commandments, thoughts and rules, surely they have theirs. If I were to place myself in the shoes of a child, here are the 10 commandments I think they would want us to know about childhood:

1.    Don’t be afraid to leave me for mommy/daddy time. Yes, I may cry but it’s only because I love you and that’s a good thing, right? We’ll see each other soon.

2.   I may be small but my feelings matter. I am still a human after all, albeit a small one. Please consider my feelings when you speak to me. Your words have the ability to hurt, help, or inspire me. Choose wisely.

3.   Did you know there are only 940 Saturdays from the day I was born till the day I leave for college? Sure, we could spend that time on housework but unlike me, it will always be there. You only have me for a short while. Let’s make it count.

4.   I know you have this whole parenting thing to do but from time to time, allow me to make decisions and choices for myself. It may seem like such a small thing to you but really, picking out which shoes to wear or which movie to watch is a big deal to me. Trust me. It won’t kill you to let me choose and you may actually find that it’s a win-win for everyone.

5.   Please allow me to grow up and find my own interests, hobbies, and activities. Congrats on being your high school’s soccer star or the national dance champion but that may not be me. Please allow me the freedom to develop my own talents and God-given gifts and be supportive of the activities I’m involved in.

6.   Discipline can be tough for the both of us. When it’s necessary, explain to me why I’m being disciplined instead of simply telling me “No” or “Because I said so.” It helps me to understand what my boundaries are so I know not to cross them again.

7.   Allow me to simply be a kid. This is the only time in my life I’ll have to simply be young, care-free, and happy. Let me get dirty. Let me eat cupcakes and stay up late every so often. Let’s play tennis in the aisle at Target.

8.   Please be patient with me at dinner time. My taste buds aren’t as advanced as yours but I’m trying. Besides, we all like/dislike different things and that’s okay. I promise I won’t always be this testy.

9.   I may act like I don’t want, like, or need your snuggles, affection, and hugs and kisses but deep down, I love that shit. I’m in an odd stage of discovering myself but really, there’s nothing better than feeling my mommy and daddy’s arms around me and hearing “I love you” a zillion times a day. You will never go wrong with that.

10. As I learn to walk, teach me how to walk upright with self-respect and dignity. As I learn to talk, teach me to say words of love, respect, and peace. Show me how to use my hands to create and do good works for myself and those around me. Teach me how to use my mind to inspire creativity and an awareness of the world. Open my eyes to the beautiful things and people of this world. And through your example, show my heart what it truly means to love: love one another, myself, and my fellow man.

What little pieces of advice do you think your little one would share if they could?