LOVE

just because I’m alive.

SECURITY

in fact and action that you will take good care of me.

PREDICTABILITY

in my environment that helps me to feel a sense of control and mastery over my life.

PRIDE

a feeling from you that your  life has been enhanced because of my relationship with you.

GUIDANCE

teach me the skills I need to know to be successful in my world:  how to care for myself, how to live peaceably with others, how to compete and work, how to play and relax, how to face my life’s ups and downs without fear that I’m a failure.

APPROVAL

for my  steps in growing up to become a socially responsible, independent person.

BALANCE

give me the values to want to excel when that’s important; give me the judgment to know that I can’t always be my “best” self, and that “good enough” is fine.

ACCEPTANCE

of my thoughts and feelings even when they’re not the same as yours.

LIMITS

on my behavior when I do something hurtful or destructive followed by alternatives for handling my feelings.

TRUST

your trust in me that I am a good person and that I will succeed in my life even when I do something that disappoints you.

PATIENCE

with my immature, imperfect ways.  I need you to be patient with me, take the time to teach me and give me the time to learn.

SHOW ME HOW

ENJOY ME

you are my parent.

I am you child.

I need to know that you love me.

I need to know that you have faith in the both of us to be O.K.

I need to know that I can be enough to make you proud just by being myself. (K. Werrh. 5/88)