12 Comments


  1. What a meaningful message. You are so right. How often I wish I could go back and be a better parent. I wish I’d burned Dr. Spock’s book, but when my kids were babies, Dr. Spock was one level higher than God.

    I wasn’t a horrible parent, but I was far from perfect to those precious little kids, and it warms my heart to hear parents like you who are so strongly committed to providing your children with serious love and attention and balance.

    Thank you.


  2. What a meaningful message. You are so right. How often I wish I could go back and be a better parent. I wish I’d burned Dr. Spock’s book, but when my kids were babies, Dr. Spock was one level higher than God.

    I wasn’t a horrible parent, but I was far from perfect to those precious little kids, and it warms my heart to hear parents like you who are so strongly committed to providing your children with serious love and attention and balance.

    Thank you.


  3. That song makes me cry. (So does “Flowers are Red.”) Children grow so fast; I tell mine “I miss the child you were yesterday, but I love the young person you’re becoming.”

    Funny, Judy – what I got from Dr. Spock’s book WAS “balance.” That I didn’t need to be a “perfect” parent to be the best parent for MY kids. I think I’ve done well, for the most part. I can’t make up for my shortcomings, but I don’t think either of them would trade me in on a new model mother if it were an option. I seriously doubt yours would, either.


  4. That song makes me cry. (So does “Flowers are Red.”) Children grow so fast; I tell mine “I miss the child you were yesterday, but I love the young person you’re becoming.”

    Funny, Judy – what I got from Dr. Spock’s book WAS “balance.” That I didn’t need to be a “perfect” parent to be the best parent for MY kids. I think I’ve done well, for the most part. I can’t make up for my shortcomings, but I don’t think either of them would trade me in on a new model mother if it were an option. I seriously doubt yours would, either.


  5. You’re right, Holly. I’ve always felt guilty because I didn’t always get up in the middle of the night when he cried and continued fussing. Something about not spoiling him.

    I’ve apologized, so perhaps I’d best leave Dr. Spock alone. I know he was a good person and helped new parents tremendously. Now we have Dr. Phil.


  6. You’re right, Holly. I’ve always felt guilty because I didn’t always get up in the middle of the night when he cried and continued fussing. Something about not spoiling him.

    I’ve apologized, so perhaps I’d best leave Dr. Spock alone. I know he was a good person and helped new parents tremendously. Now we have Dr. Phil.

  7. Mingus Rude

    I love this song (but to me its a Johnny Cash tune) but its a tricky subject. There is no way you can spend too much time with your kids but certainly can you spoil your kids too much (a little spoiling here and there never hurt anyone). Our oldest is now 6 years and has just started school and now he is starting to act as the son in the song, he hasn’t got time for us. Part of me think that’s a bit sad but most of me is one big smile, he’s growing up and as a parent I feel good about myself as he has turned out to be an independent self.

    Growing up is difficult also for parents.

  8. Mingus Rude

    I love this song (but to me its a Johnny Cash tune) but its a tricky subject. There is no way you can spend too much time with your kids but certainly can you spoil your kids too much (a little spoiling here and there never hurt anyone). Our oldest is now 6 years and has just started school and now he is starting to act as the son in the song, he hasn’t got time for us. Part of me think that’s a bit sad but most of me is one big smile, he’s growing up and as a parent I feel good about myself as he has turned out to be an independent self.

    Growing up is difficult also for parents.


  9. I realized the importance of this message early on. I remember thinking how I wouldn’t be like that when I became a dad, but I also realize that I have to look at from my dad’s perspective as well. I try to spend as much time as I can with my son and but I also never forget that I am my father’s son, too. He’s 78 now, and he still gets a hug, a kiss, and an “I love you, dad” whenever I see him. I never realized how he felt about me until I had a son of my own. I try to let him know that whenever I can.


  10. I realized the importance of this message early on. I remember thinking how I wouldn’t be like that when I became a dad, but I also realize that I have to look at from my dad’s perspective as well. I try to spend as much time as I can with my son and but I also never forget that I am my father’s son, too. He’s 78 now, and he still gets a hug, a kiss, and an “I love you, dad” whenever I see him. I never realized how he felt about me until I had a son of my own. I try to let him know that whenever I can.


  11. What a wonderful post. I loved the song from a young age, but only later when I really understood it did I realize how powerful it was. Such an important reminder for all of us.


  12. What a wonderful post. I loved the song from a young age, but only later when I really understood it did I realize how powerful it was. Such an important reminder for all of us.

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