Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them...

• I loved you enough to ask where you are going, with whom, and what time you would be home.

• I loved you enough to insist that you save your money and buy a bike for yourself even though I could afford to buy one for you.

• I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a jerk.

• I loved you enough to make you pay for the toy you had taken and tell the clerk' " I stole this yesterday, and I want to pay for it."

• I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes.

• I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes. Children should know that their parents aren't perfect.

• I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh, they almost broke my heart.

• But most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it. …

Those were the most difficult battles of all. I am glad I won them, because in the end, you won too . And someday when your children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates parents, you will tell them.