A Child's Ten Requests

1. My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I draw a picture or throw a ball.  My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you   
2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely.  Don’t restrict me unnecessarily
     
3. Housework will always be there.  I’m only little for a short time; please  take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly
    
4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs; don’t nag me all day long.  Treat me as you would like to be treated
     
5. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by, and disciplining me in a loving manner
    
6. I need your encouragement to grow.  Please go easy on criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me
    
7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself.  Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes
     
8. Please don’t do things over for me.  Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts don’t quite measure up to your expectations
     
9. Please don’t be afraid to leave for a weekend together.  Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids
     
10. Please take me to mosque regularly; setting a good example from an early age