ANONYMOUS
O, make me a better mother for my family. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them, talking back to them, as I would have them be to me. Give me the courage to confess to them when I am wrong and ask forgiveness, when I know that I have done them wrong.
May I not vainly hurt the feelings of my children. Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment. Let me not tempt them to lie and to steal. So guide me, hour by hour, that I may demonstrate by all I say and do, that honesty produces happiness.
Blind me to the little errors of my children and help me see the good things they do. Give me a ready word for honesty, praise and let me treat them as I would those of their own age. Allow me not to rob them of the opportunity to wait upon themselves, and to think to choose, and to make their own decisions.
Forbid that I should ever punish them for my selfish satisfaction. May I grant them all their wishes that are reasonable. And to have the courage always to withhold a privilege which I know will do them harm.
Make me so fair and just, so considerate and companionable to my children, so that they will have a genuine esteem for me. Fit me to be loved and imitated.
With all these gifts it will make me a better mother for my family. So give me calm, poise and self-control.