Serenity and parenting

children like
to challenge our serenity

this pose
above can be one to regain
our serenity

and children
usually don't go out
to drive us crazy
until later,
maybe high school age
when they might
plot to drive us crazy

why would they possibly do that?

all those years we drove them
crazy:
revenge

this isn't a very cheery set of
ideas
is it

or is it:
old wounds,
fine.
and possibilities:
serenity
or going along with the
trouble

the work might
come in handy
when they are getting unruly

but basically
the old slow down
idea:
sit down
watch them

slow down
listen to them

take a breath
and then
follow the breathing
and wonder what
the world
is like
from their point of view

wonderful challenges
that would help us with any friend
or lover

and we can't escape the necessity
if they are our kids

well, actually, we can:
but we'll wish we hadn't

so
it's the same wonderful
story:
our being present
is the best present

in good times
or bad
happy
or sad
busy
or dull:

just to be there
with them
watching
listening
no books to read no TV to watch
no things to rush off to
forget preparing dinner even
for five minutes
just sit,
ask them to talk,

listen