In today’s world we often have both parents working and a lot of grandparents watching the grandchildren.

Sue and my husband and I are just such grandparents. I can tell you, and I’m sure Sue can affirm, that watching our grandchildren grow and learn is one of life’s most wonderful experiences.

To see a little one notice and chase a butterfly for the first time is beyond belief. To see a little one notice flowers, even dandelions, and want you to put them in a vase of water is such sweet innocence.

To watch a small one want to feed the birds and try to touch them is like being a child all over again.

I was reading this story that talks about what our young people want most.

It’s not money or the car keys or permission to go out and party wildly. They want quality time with their parents and families.

Take the time to sit down with your children and go over their day with them. Find out what interests them and show a real interest in their interests because once they get older you’ll turn around and wonder where the time went.

Yes, you’re tired after a day’s work, but put off that trip to the gym for a time with the children. You can work in your pleasures on a different schedule, but time lost with your children can never be recovered.

Teach your little one to tie his or her shoes, even if it is a frustrating task, and don’t show your frustration.

Let your child know you love him or her no matter what, and mean it.

Saturday my daughter and I had a disagreement over the ingredients I like in pizza. She was picking it up and I said I wanted anchovies on mine. She didn’t want to stink up her car with the smell of anchovies so she didn’t order them.

When I started to eat the pizza I noticed it and called her on her cell to tell her if she couldn’t get it the way I wanted it not to offer to get it for me again.

She called me after she got home and an argument ensued. It covered anchovies on pizza to other items and I told her to stick to the topic.

Sunday morning she called me to apologize for the way she spoke to me the previous evening. I had already forgotten it. I told her it was no problem and even when we say angry words to each other I would never put her out of my life even for an hour because of it. I told her I love her all the time—even when she doesn’t get the anchovies on my pizza.

When I grew up, hearing “I love you” was something I hardly experienced. I determined when I became pregnant with my son that my children would hear that every day, and they have, even when they aggravate me to no end as adults.

Cherish your children. As quickly as God loaned them to you He can take them back. Never forget that.