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1
Oh, heavenly Father, make me a better parent.
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2
Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly.
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3
Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them.
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4
Make me as courteous to them as I would have them to be to me.
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5
Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me.
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6
May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power.
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7
Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal.
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8
And guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.
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9
Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me.
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10
And when I am out of sorts, help me, Oh Lord, to hold my tongue.
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11
May I ever be mindful that my children are children and I should not expect of them the judgement of adults. Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and make decisions.
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12
Bless me with bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm.
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13
Make me fair and just and kind.
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14
And fit me, Oh Lord, to be loved and respected and imitated by my children.
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15
Amen.
