author unknown

Someday when my children are old enough to understand the
logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them:

I loved you enough... to ask where you were going, with
whom, and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough... to insist that you save your money and
buy a bike for yourself even though we could afford to buy
one for you.

I loved you enough... to be silent and let you discover
that your new best friend was a creep.
I loved you enough... to make you take a Milky Way back to
the drugstore (with a bite out of it) and tell the clerk,
"I stole this yesterday and want to pay for it."

I loved you enough... to stand over you for two hours
while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken
15 minutes.

I loved you enough... to let you see anger, disappointment
and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their
parents aren't perfect.

I loved you enough... to let you assume the responsibility
for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh
they almost broke my heart.

But most of all, I loved you enough... to say NO when I
knew you would hate me for it.

These were the most difficult battles of all and, in the end,
we both won!!!