Susan K Mann

Award Nominated Mummy & Parenting blogger. Blogging about the highs and lows of being a working mother of two princes & princess, living out our own fairytale in Scotland.

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If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

14th May 2010 By Susan Mann 14 Comments

I got my three years old’s letter from nursery the other day, just the usual telling you about days off, trips, etc. But something on the back page caught my eye, that made me stop and think.
Sometimes we get caught up in chores, work and just life in general, that we forget the wee things that make all the difference to our children. Like reading a book, or colouring in a picture or just giving them a hug.
I try to make time to do something with my children at the weekends, like bake a cake or do some kind of craft, but I need to make more time. Where it will come from I don’t know but after reading this, I will make it. Life is too short and our kids grow up way to fast.
I thought I would share it all with you.

It is a Poem by Diana Loomans called If I had my child to raise over again.

If I had my child to raise over again.
I’d finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I’d do less correcting, and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I’d run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I’d teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.
Give you children a big hug, tell them how much you love them and do something with them today. More importantly, enjoy them.

This post is protected under copyright. SusankMann 2009 – 2014

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Letter, lifestyle, Parenting, Poem

Comments

  1. yummymummyno1 says

    14th May 2010 at 1:05 pm

    Oh what a lovely poem – thanks for sharing x And I think we all need a reminder from time to time that time with our little ones is so fleeting so we should make the most of it : )

    Reply
  2. elainescott77 says

    14th May 2010 at 2:18 pm

    aw that is a lovely poem, its also very good advice for mums to be 🙂

    Reply
  3. icklebabe_com says

    14th May 2010 at 4:29 pm

    Such a great post Susan! and the poem really strikes a cord….Its so hard to get the balance right, but for now its time for hugs and finger painting xxx

    Reply
  4. babygenie says

    14th May 2010 at 6:43 pm

    This is so true, such a lovely post.You're so right. And sometimes we need a good shove to realise and stop letting them grow up and pass us by without making more time for trips to the swings, messy play and swimming.I find that the more I arrange to do with friends with children, the more quality time I spend with the bear – it's so much easier with another grown up. Will join you and try too.xxx

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    14th May 2010 at 8:25 pm

    Hey Suzi ! Frank was just asking last night when Im going to fly my kite-let me know and Ill come and run through a field with you Lucas & Tyler L xxx

    Reply
  6. Angela Addams says

    15th May 2010 at 12:02 am

    Yes…I think about this often. They're young for such a short period of time and there always seems to be something that needs to get done. My husband gets a lot of play time…me, not so much. I have to do that more…make more time.

    Reply
  7. An Again says

    16th May 2010 at 5:10 pm

    I tend to go right by bits of motherly inspiration with, at best, a roll of the eyes. But reading this, I know that my Wee One is waiting for me. My plan was to do the blog rounds, get some critiques done, and take her out…if I didn't put it off for something else. Crits and edits can wait until after I've put her to bed. I'm going to take her out, and later come back and print the poem. That needs to be taped up somewhere that I see often enough to keep my priorities straight. Thank you.

    Reply
  8. Lucy Quick says

    16th May 2010 at 8:09 pm

    That's just beautiful, and so very, very true. Thanks for sharing it 🙂

    Reply
  9. D. B. Reynolds says

    17th May 2010 at 6:13 pm

    Lovely poem. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  10. D. B. Reynolds says

    17th May 2010 at 6:13 pm

    Lovely poem. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  11. rosiescribble says

    22nd May 2010 at 6:22 am

    Oh I love this, and it is so true. I'm going to do more of the little things with my daughter now. Thanks for including it in the carnival xx

    Reply
  12. Nova says

    25th May 2010 at 5:58 pm

    Thanks for posting that, I have been beating myself up lately about this with my toddler….his life so far has gone by in a blur. I can't bear the thought of him going to school. :0S

    Reply
  13. Magic Mummy says

    29th May 2010 at 10:43 am

    That's a brilliant reminder to us all – Thank you x

    Reply
  14. Ambika S says

    1st April 2015 at 4:51 pm

    It's a lovely poem and the way you connected with it, is wonderful. It made me to think about my motherhood too.
    My recent post About the Awards : Caldecott Awards

    Reply

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