Ever wonder what your kids think of you?

Are you brave enough to ask them? I wondered and so I asked. I told them to write down a list of things that I said most often to them. I was thinking things like, "Finish your school work before I give you extra." or things along that line.

Wesley obviously thought that I meant chores because his first list read:

Set the table.
Take out the trash.
Clean off the table.
Eat your food.
Do not talk with food in your mouth.
Clean the playroom.
Take the trash to the curb.
Stand by the cart.
Go get two cans of corn.

After I asked him if he could think of anything besides chores he added:

I love you.
Good night.
You're a good kid.
You may go outside.
I like you.
You look handsome.
You're sweet.

Jacob's list consisted of:

I love you.
Good morning.
Good night.
How are you?
Will you go see what Sophie is up to?
Will you get Keegan?
Get started on your schoolwork.
Let's say your prayers.
Do you want to read?
Go play.

Carly's list:

I love you, Carly.
Read the directions.
You can read before you go to bed.
Bionicles are disgusting.
I'm going to court so mind Jacob.
Call me if it's an emergency.
No.
Yes.
Guys, after church go the steps and wait for me.

Ryan's list was the one I was most anxious to read. I could just imagine what he might put down since we butt heads quite a bit over school work, chores and life in general. So imagine my surprise when I read:

I love you.
You are my little boy I love so much.
I love your freckles.
I love your glasses.
You're a good skater.

When I asked him about anything I said to him that wasn't so nice he told me he just forgot all that stuff and remembered the good stuff. If he can manage to keep that attitude throughout his life - he'll be a happy guy.