I pray I may let my child live his own life and not the one I wish I had lived.
Therefore, guard me against burdening him with doing what I failed to do, and when tempted to seek this balm for old wounds, strengthen me against my self justification.
わが子が歩み行く遥か彼方を見据えて、今のわが子の過ちを見守らせてください
わたしの焦りが反抗、後退、不安に追い込まないよう、ゆっくり成長するわが子の姿を、優しい心で見つめることができますように
些細ないたずらに微笑みかける時と、悪しき行いを毅然とたしなめる時、その二つの時を見分ける英知を与えてください
たしなめる必要がある時には、私に温かい心と優しい声を与えてください。そうすれば、わが子は秩序というルールが自分の友であると感じ、それを自分の良心として魂に刻むことができます
Help me to see today’s missteps in perspective against the long road he must go, and grant me the grace of patience with his slow pace, lest in my impatience I force him into rebellion, retreat and anxiety.
Give me the wisdom to know when to smile at the small mischief’s of his age, and when to give him the haven of firmness against the impulses which in his heart he fears he cannot master.
In time of needed punishment, give me a warm heart and a gentle voice so he may feel the rule of order is his friend and clasp it to his soul to be his conscience.
I pray that I may raise my voice more in joy at what he is than in vexation at what he has done, so each day he may grow in sureness of himself.
Help me to hold him with such warmth as will give him friendliness toward his fellow man; then give me the fortitude to free him to go strongly on his way.
Then as I see him striding forward, eagerly, self-sure, friendly and in good conscience, my grateful heart will swell with joy.