How To Touch A Child Poem by Susan Christiansen

First memories, a mother’s arms
A gentle touch
The smile that reaches
All the way to the eyes.

Encouraging hands that reach out
To keep you from falling
Or to catch the ball-
And roll it back.

The gift of time, not lightly given
In a busy world of multiple jobs.
Reading a bedtime story,
Rocking and a song.
A warm bath time, shared
A cuddle while sharing the T.V.
Little given, but MUCH received.

Watching every game
From herd-ball (soccer) to varsity.
Playing tag-team with your spouse
And Grandma and Grandpa.

Concerts, lessons, conferences,
Parties and sleepovers-
Attending and Hosting!
Unappreciated laundry and menus
(Can I eat cereal?)

The endless search for missing sox.
Kissing every boo-boo
And each missing tooth’s excitement.

Knowing what a child does and doesn’t
Like to eat and drink.
Even when it changes frequently!

The toy or game, the pet, the friend,
The “Boy” or “Girl”, the band.
Valuing what they value
Just because they do.
Giving respect,
As well as expecting to receive it.

Giving a swat to bottoms or fingers,
Times-out or privileges lost,
Bing consistent, even when it really
Does hurt you more than them.

Talking with your kids
Sharing stories of your childhood.
Building an oral history of memories
And related experiences,
Not dictating values.

Laughing with your children
When things are funny
And when you can do nothing
But laugh.
Finding and sharing joys and sorrows,

Remembering always to hug
To kiss goodnight
To say, “I love you, ”
To give thanks for all the good,
Roll with the bad.
Treasure the now.