If we didn't care it would be easy....

How do you protect your children from themselves? We have tried valiantly to follow the guidelines listed below (well the positive ones at least). As parents we're not always perfect, sometimes we mess up and sometimes we make mistakes but we're doing the best we can, because essentially we're only human.

Mothering a teenager has to be the most rewarding and heartbreaking thing in the world all rolled up into one big bulky package.

All I can hope is that deep down the love we have shown and the upbringing we have provided will win through and banish the negative influences. Hope and faith are the only things that keep me placing one foot in front of the other.

Parenting Guidelines to live by:

• If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
• If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
• If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.
• If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilt.
• If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
• If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.
• If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.
• If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.
• If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
• If a child lives with recognition, he learns that it is good to have a goal.
• If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is.
• If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
• If a child lives with security, he learns to trust in himself and others.
• If a child lives with friendliness, he learns the world is a nice place in which to live.

I wrote the first part of this post last night and you've all probably got used to me talking about my boys and the stress they cause me, rolled up with the moments of joy and pride that they also bring me. Today I opened the newspaper to read about a family who won't know the joy of their little girl growing up and going through the trials of the teenage years.

For all the frustration and stress I experience, reading about little Lilah Bishop reinforced just how lucky I am that my children are happy and healthy. You can read the story here

Lilah's mum made the comment "Relish in the simple things with your children. Never take anything for granted when you are with them. We celebrate every month, every day, every second and every breath we have with her. We understand some people will see Lilah and shed a tear, but we want positive things to come from her journey."

How true her words are. What an inspiring woman and what a tragic journey they've had. I am humbled by this story and thankful for every moment of stress and joy that I experience with my children as we guide them through the pre-adult years. Some parents aren't that lucky and it makes my words of despair and stress seem selfish.

Hug your kids and tell them that you love them each and every day, because you can.

Cheers, Fi

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. ~ Joyce Maynard