Memo to Mommy...

Excerpt from September 2008 issue of Parents Magazine.

You have a lot of lessons to teach your little one, but he has a few words of wisdom for you too.

• Stop freaking out about the mess! There's always time to clean - but how often do we get to make mud pies?
• Love me, even when I'm naughty. I'll only be this age once.
• Be patient. I do everything for a reason, but I don't know enough words yet to give you an explanation.
• Let me do it. I know you can do it faster and better, but sometimes experience is the best teacher.
• Don't expect too much of me. I want to do what you ask and make you happy, but I'm still little.
• Don't try to reason with me when I'm having a tantrum. Trust me - I can't hear you over my own screaming.
• Keep your promises. It's all about trust. When I'm a teenager, you'll understand why it's so important.
• Don't keep asking me if I've been good. I'm not even sure what that means, but if I was bad I'd never admit it!
• Don't let me think that you're perfect. I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes.
• Set limits. I can't actually eat a whole box of cookies - I just want to see if I'd get away with it.