The Prayer of Every Parent

Dear God,

Thank you for this new day I get to spend with my children. They are a true blessing and I am so lucky to have them.

So far today I have not raised my voice to my children. I have not given them a dirty look, have not rolled my eyes, and have not once looked at the clock to see if I can justify putting them to bed. I have not said a harsh word or tried to reason with my 2-year-old as to why she cannot bang on my laptop in an attempt to "work" with me. I have not scolded my son for climbing up on the table over and over and over again. I have been patient, kind, and loving.

Likewise, thank you for my kids and how well they have behaved today. They have not fought once. They have been calm and quiet and almost peaceful. They have not blatantly disobeyed me, have not hit, bit, or tortured one another. My son has not knocked over my daughter's block tower, and my daughter has not stolen my son's cup because it has more milk in it. They have had only nice things to say to me and to one another and oh what pure joy it's been.

But soon, God, I'm going to get out of bed, and that's all going to change.

Please give me the ability to see straight until I've had my first cup of coffee, the courage to get my kids from their room, and the knowledge that one day I'll miss these days.

Amen.