Watching Tyler drive....

So, off we went yesterday to the Secretary of State to get Tyler's permit. An hour later, we walked out with permit in hand. He looked so happy. True joy was on his face. Loved it. I asked him if he wanted to drive and he smiled so big and said yes. He did a great job too, I was proud of him. A little jerky, but hey, he did great. It was his first time driving the mini-van.

As a jaded teenager, finding a true smile can be challenging. That was a true smile. It made me happy to make him happy.

Isn't that what we try to do every day? Make our kids happy, but balance it with not spoiling them. If we spoil them, the true smiles are not so true and not so much. They don't need everything they want to be happy. If we gave them everything they want, I think that leads to a great deal of unhappiness, because they are never satisfied. So balance is the answer. It is like walking a tight rope, but I think it is worth it in the end.

So what today, can you do to bring a smile to your child's face? Bake some cookies? Go to the pool? Have a sleepover? Small things that make a difference. Share what you are doing today, I really want to know.

God bless you and yours.