This Hurts Me More Than It Hurts You

I know you don't believe me, but truly, it would be so much easier for me to sort your dirty laundry for you.

But then you would never learn responsibility.

It would be so much easier for me to do the dinner dishes by myself, in complete blissful silence, and there would be the added benefit of actually having clean dishes and clean counters in the morning.

But then you would never learn diligence and perseverance.

It would be so much easier for me to let you go skating, even though you were disrespectful to me.

But then you would never learn respect. Or that I mean what I say.

It would be so much easier to let you off the hook when you told me that you didn't "really" have any homework, when you actually did "really" have homework.

But then you would never learn honesty.

It would be so much easier for me to say "Yes, you can go see any rated PG-13 thriller." without having to do online research, or let you manage your own i-Tunes account, without checking.

But then you would never know how much I care about your innocence.

It would be so much easier for me to let you wear that shirt, or that make-up, or that bathing suit.

But then you would never learn modesty. Or how much I care about your true beauty.

It would be so much easier if I could have a peaceful afternoon and let you play Poptropica for hours.

Believe me. It hurts me more than it hurts you.