While we were in AZ for Christmas Brooklyn and I went to my mom's office to print something off for necklaces we were making. She works at a juvenile probation office and sees kids come in daily who have fallen through the cracks for one reason or another. While sitting at her desk I noticed a poem she had displayed on her pinboard.

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

by Diane Loomans

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I'd build self esteem first, and the house later.

I'd fingerpaint more, and point the finger less.

I would 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 would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

I'd see the oak tree in the acron more often.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd model less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.

Here's Andy's first finger painting:

(good thing they were homemade-nontoxic paints since he wanted to lick them off his fingers more than paint with them :))