What should I tell the kids? To be honest and straight down the line, or to seize every opportunity that life throws at them? Should I encourage them to be dreamers or pragmatists? Am I wrong to instil in them values which the world seems to scorn?

Or am I just worrying over nothing? Our children listen to what we tell them, but they learn from what we do, as well as from what we don't do. Every little action, every gesture, the tone of our replies, inconsistencies between our words and our actions… nothing escapes the eager eyes of these little people placed in our charge by the hand of fate.

They are inconsiderate intruders, who eat up all our time and energy even when we have no more to give, and who, despite their lack of years and apparently insignificant size, are complex human beings who invade our private time, play havoc with our plans and spin the compass that rules our lives in a new direction.

We would dearly love for these innocent manifestations of our unfulfilled desires to follow the paths that we have dreamed of, to want what we ourselves want. They, however, have their own dreams and goals, and have to find their own paths in life.

Time and time again we try to use our own experience to shield them from the pitfalls of life, but some lessons can only be learnt by making mistakes, and the games that life plays with us have more than one right answer.

Aren’t they great, these little kids? We learn more from them and with them than we could ever teach them. On their tongues our words take on a new perspective, and their needs and the challenges they face make us rethink the thoughts and feelings which have rooted themselves within our souls after years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the path to follow. We need them even more so, as they are the footprints we leave on this path.

What should I teach my children? Should I tell them to be honest and upright, or should I teach them to look out for number one? Idealist or pragmatic? Is it a mistake to imbue them with values that the real world seems not to appreciate?

But why ask these questions at all? Our children might listen to what we say but they learn from what we do or fail to do. They are aware of every small gesture and act; our tone of voice; any inconsistency between word and deed. Nothing escapes the keen attention of these little people that life has put into our charge.

Children invade our privacy; they thoughtlessly interrupt it, demanding our time and attention until we have none left. Though small in size and few in years, they are full to the brim with human complexity. They romp through our carefully made plans and turn aside the compass needle of our life's path.

We might wish that these innocent vessels of our unfulfilled desires would continue further along the road of our dreams; to yearn for what we most want. But no, they have their own dreams and desires, and they must find their own ways to fulfill them.

Time and again we try to use our own experience to shield them from the blows of life, but some things can only be learned from mistakes; besides, there is no single right answer to life's questions.

Aren't kids wonderful! We learn from our children—or with them—more than we ourselves teach them. We gain a new perspective on our words when we hear them repeated in their voices. Our children's needs and challenges inspire us to rethink our ideas and feelings, calcified after years of routine.

Our children need us to show them the way. But we need them even more, for they are the imprint we leave on the world.

What am I to say to the kids? Shall I tell them to be upright and honest, or to take every advantage that life offers? To be spiritualistic or pragmatic? Will it be a mistake to instill in them values that the world seems to scorn?

Such groundless worries! Children listen to what we say to them but they learn from what we do or fail to do. Every little act, every gesture, the tone of a response, inconsistency between words and deeds...nothing escapes the attentive scrutiny of these little people that life has placed in our charge.

Children are inconsiderate intruders, lacking in years and size but brimming with human complexity, who demand our time and attention even when we have none to spare. They invade our privacy, undo our plans and alter the cardinal points of our internal compass.

We would like for these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled yearnings to follow the paths that we have idealized and to want what is most desirable to us, but they have their own dreams and desires and should find their own way.

Time and again we try to use our experience to shield them from hurt, but some lessons are learned only in the school of hard knocks and there is no single answer to life's riddles.

Such marvelous creatures! We learn from them, or with them, more than we teach them. In their voices our words take on a new perspective, and their needs and challenges force us to reconsider ideas and feelings set by years of routine.

Our children need us because we mark the trail for them. We need them even more because they are the imprint of our passage.

What should I tell my kids? Should I tell them to be honest and upright, or to seize every opportunity life offers? Idealism or pragmatism? Would it be a mistake to instill in them values that the world seems to reject?

So much needless worry! After all, children hear what we say to them, but learn from what we do or don’t do. Each tiny action, every gesture, the tone of our answers, the inconsistency between what we say and what we do... nothing escapes the notice of these little creatures that life has placed under our care.

Inconsiderate intruders, they demand our time and attention even when we have no more to give. Though limited in age and size, children are full of human complexity. They invade our privacy, disrupt our plans and point our life’s compass in a whole new direction.

How we would love for these innocent cradles of our unfinished dreams to follow the paths we envisioned for them and to desire what we most desire! Yet they have dreams and aspirations of their own and need to find their own path in life.

Time and time again we try to use our experience to shield them from blows, but certain things are only learned through stumbling, and the riddles of life have more than one answer.

What wonderful little tykes! We learn more from them - or with them - than they learn from us. Their voices give our words new meaning, and their needs and challenges cause us to reconsider ideas and feelings that we’ve accumulated through years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. And we need them even more, because they show us where we’ve been.

What shall I tell the kids? Shall I tell them that they ought to be honest and upstanding or that they ought to take advantage of every opportunity life puts their way? Should they be spiritual or pragmatic? Will it be a mistake to instill in them values that the world appears to disparage?

Such a baseless fear! Children listen to what we say, but learn from what we do or fail to do. Each little action, each gesture, the tone of a response, the inconsistency between words and deeds…nothing escapes the keen scrutiny of these little beings that life has put into our care.

Inconsiderate intruders who demand our time and attention so that we are left with none, small in years and stature but brimming with human complexity, children invade our privacy, throw our plans into disarray and shift us off course towards new horizons.

We would like these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled dreams to follow the paths that we have idealized and desire that which seems to us most desirable, but they have their own dreams and desires and they must find their own way.

Time and again, we try to use our experience to shield them from blows, but there are things that can only be learnt through making mistakes and life’s riddles can be solved in more than one way.

Magnificent little half-pints! We learn more from them or with them than we teach them. In their voices our words acquire a new dimension, and their needs and challenges reawaken ideas and feelings long buried under years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them even more because they are our mark on the world.

What do I tell the kids? Do I tell them to be honest and upright, or to seize every advantage in life? Mysticism or pragmatism? Would it be wrong to instill in them values that the world seems to despise?

So much groundless worry! Children listen to what we say, but they learn from what we do or fail to do. Every little action, every gesture, the tone of a response, any inconsistency between words and deeds…nothing escapes the keen scrutiny of these miniature people who life has placed in our care.

Children are inconsiderate intruders, young in age and short in stature but full of human complexity, who ceaselessly demand our time and attention until we are limp and worn out. They invade our privacy, upset our plans and send our compass veering off in new directions.

How we would love for these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled hopes and longings to follow the paths that we have idealized and to yearn for what we find most desirable; but they have their own dreams and wishes, and they must find their own way.

Time and time again we try to use our experience to protect them from life’s blows; but some things can only be learned by stumbling, and there is no single, right answer to all of life’s riddles.

Wonderful tykes! We learn more from them, or with them, than we teach. Their voices give our words a new perspective, and their needs and challenges force us to take a new look at ideas and feelings laid down through years of routine.

Our kids need us because we show them the way, but we need them even more, because they are the footprints we leave behind.

What do I tell the kids? Shall I tell them to be honest and upright, or that they should take advantage of every opportunity in life? Should I take a spiritual or pragmatic approach? Would it be wrong to instil values into them that the world seems to despise?

Such fears are entirely groundless. Children listen to what we tell them, but learn from what we do or permit. Every little act, every gesture, the tone of a reply, the inconsistency between the things we say and the things we do - nothing escapes the intense scrutiny of these little people that life has placed in our care.

Inconsiderate trespassers who take up our time and attention until they leave home, young in years and small in size, yet filled to the brim with human complexity, children invade our privacy, wreck our plans and totally alter our perspectives.

We want these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled longings to follow the paths we feel are best and we hope that they will want what we think is most desirable. Nonetheless, they follow their own dreams and desires, and will have to find their own way in life.

Sometimes we try to use our experience to protect them from knocks, but there are some things that they can only learn the hard way, and there is no one answer to life's mysteries.

Precious little darlings! We learn more from them, or with them, than we teach them. In their voices, our words gain a new perspective, and their needs and challenges make us reconsider ideas and feelings that have been deeply ingrained in us for years.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them more however, for they are our mark that we leave on the world.

What should I tell my little ones? Should I teach them to be honest and forthright, o rather to take advantage of everything life has to offer? The spiritual or the pragmatic? Is it be wrong to instill in them values the world seems to despise?

All groundless worry! Children do listen to what we say, but they learn from what we do or don’t do. Every small act, each gesture, the tone of an answer, a lack of consistency between word and deed—nothing escapes the intent scrutiny of these small beings whom life has given to our care.

Inconsiderate intruders, who drain our time and attention to the dregs! Scant of years and stature, but abounding in human complexity, our children invade our privacy, destroy our plans and give new direction to the course of our lives.

How we yearn for these innocent repositories of our own unfulfilled dreams to follow the idealized paths we would like to have taken, to reach for that which we ourselves find most desirable! Ah, but they have their own hopes and dreams, and they must find their own paths.

Again and again we try to use our own experience to protect them from the blows of life, but there are things that can only be learned by trial and error, and life’s riddles afford more than one answer.

Oh, wonderful young cubs! We learn from them, or with them, more than we teach. In their voices, our words gain new perspective, and their needs and challenges cause us to reconsider feelings and ideas silted over by years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them even more because they are our legacy.

What do I say to my kids? Do I tell them to be honest and upright, or that they should make the most of every advantage in life? Do I employ mysticism or pragmatism? Might it be a mistake to instill in them those values that the world seems to despise?

What a lot of groundless worry! Children listen to what we tell them, but they learn from what we do or don’t do. Every little act, every gesture, tone of reply, inconsistency between words and deeds…nothing escapes the watchful scrutiny of these little persons that life has put in our charge.

Kids – inconsiderate little intruders who demand our time and attention even when we have none left of either, scant in years and size but filled to the brim with human complexity – invade our privacy, dismantle our plans, and divert our compass to new cardinal points.

We would like for these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled desires to follow the paths that we ourselves have idealized, and for them to want what is best for us. But they have their own dreams and wishes, and must find their own way.

Time and again we try to use our experience to protect them from the hard knocks of life, but there are things that they can only learn by stumbling; and the riddles of life don’t have just one answer.

Marvelous kids! – we learn from them, or with them, more than we ever teach! In their voices, our words take on new perspective, and their needs and challenges make us redefine ideas and feelings firmly entrenched after years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them even more because they are our legacy.

What shall I tell the kids? Shall I tell them to be honest and upstanding, or to snap up every opportunity in life? The mystic approach or the pragmatic one? Will it be a mistake to fill them with values that the world seems to be casting aside?

What a lot of wasted worry! Our children listen to what we tell them, but they learn from what we do or what we don't do. Every tiny act, every gesture, the tone of a reply, the lack of consistency between what we say and what we do ... nothing escapes the hawk-like scrutiny of those little beings whom life has put in our charge.

Thoughtless intruders who place demands on our time and attention until we+ve none left, short on age and size but chock full of human complexity, children invade our privacy, tear our plans to shreds and set our compass spinning towards new cardinal points.

We would like these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled wishes to follow the paths which we have idealized and to desire what we consider to be most desirable, but they have their own dreams and wishes, and they should find their own way through.

Again and again we try to use our experience to protect them from life's knocks, but there are things which can only be learned by making their own mistakes, and life's riddles don't have one answer alone.

What wonderful little beings they are! We learn from them, or with them, more than we teach them. Our words take on a new perspective in their mouths, and their needs and challenges make us take a new look at ideas and feelings which had become embedded after years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them even more, because they are what we leave behind.

What do I say to my kids? Should I tell them to be honest and fair, or to seize every advantage in life? Mystic or pragmatic? Would it be wrong to instill values in them that the world seems to scorn?

Such needless worrying! Children listen to what we tell them, but learn from what we do or fail to do. Every little action, every gesture, tone of voice, inconsistency between what we say and do...nothing escapes the attentive scrutiny of these little people that life has placed in our care.

They are thoughtless intruders that demand our time and attention, leaving us no rest. Short in years and in size, but full of human complexity, children invade our privacy, disrupt our plans, and steer our compass toward new cardinal points.

We would like these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled longings to follow the paths that we have idealized, and to want what is most desirable to us, but they have their own dreams and desires, and they should find their own path.

We try to use our own experience over and over again to protect them, but some things are only learned the hard way, and there is no single answer to life's conundrums.

Marvelous creatures! We learn from them, or with them, more than we teach. Our words take on new perspective in their voices. Their needs and challenges make us rethink ideas and long-established feelings after years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them even more because they are the footprints that we leave behind.

What do I say to my kids? Do I tell them to be honest and upright, or to exploit every advantage life gives them? Do I teach spirituality or pragmatism? Would it be a mistake to instill in them values that the world seems to depreciate?

What needless worrying! Our children listen to what we say, but they learn from what we do and don’t do. Every little action, every gesture, the tone of a response, inconsistency between our words and our deeds…nothing escapes the careful scrutiny of those little people that life has committed to our care.

Inconsiderate intruders that demand our time and attention–even when we have no more to give–few in years and slight in size, yet full of human complexity, our kids invade our privacy, destroy our plans, and point our compass needles in new directions.

We want these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled desires to follow the paths that we have idealized, and for them to want what is most pleasing to us, but they have their own dreams and desires, and must find their own paths.

Time and again we try to use our experience to keep them from hurting themselves, but some things are learned only after stumbling, and life’s riddles can be solved in more ways than one.

What wonderful little ones! We learn more from them–or with them–than we teach them. In their voices our words gain a new perspective, and their needs and challenges cause us to reconsider ideas and feelings that have been solidified by years of habit.

Our kids need us because we show them the way. But we need them even more, for they are our footprints.

What do I say to the children? Shall I tell them that they must be honest and upright, or that they should grab every opportunity that life affords? High ideals or pragmatism? Would it be wrong to instil in them values that the world seemingly despises?

So many groundless fears! Children listen to what we tell them, but learn from what we do, or do not do. Every little act, every gesture, the tone in which we answer, any inconsistency between what we say and what we do...nothing escapes the scrutinous gaze of the little folk that life places under our charge.

Inconsiderate intruders, who demand our time and attention until we are left in no peace. Short in years and stature, but brimming with human complexity, children invade our privacy, pull our plans apart and send us heading in new directions.

We would like these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled longings to follow paths that we have idealised, and for their wishes to be what we most wish for, but they have their own dreams and desires, and must find their own path in life.

Time and time again, we try to use our own experience to protect them from hard knocks, but there are things they can only learn by falling over, there is no single solution to life's conundrums.

Amazing little beings! We learn more from, or with, them than we teach them. When they speak, our words acquire a new perspective, and their needs and challenges make us look anew at ideas and feelings entrenched in years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them even more because they are the imprint we leave behind us.

What do I say to the kids? Should I tell them to be honest and upstanding, or to exploit every advantage in life? Mysticism or pragmatism? Would it be wrong to instill values in them that the world seems to disdain?

So much unfounded worry! Children listen to what we tell them, but they learn from what we do or leave undone. Every little action, every gesture, the tone of a reply, inconsistencies between words and deeds… nothing escapes the intense scrutiny of these small people that life has placed in our care.

Inconsiderate interlopers who demand our time and attention until there is nothing left for us, short on years and in size but full of human complexity, children invade our privacy, spoil our plans, and deflect our compass towards new cardinal points.

We would like these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled aspirations to follow the paths that we have idealized and to want what is most desirable to us, but they have their own hopes and dreams, and they will need to find their own path.

Time and time again we try to use our experience to protect them from bumps, but there are things that are only learned by stumbling, and life’s riddles have more than one answer.

Wonderful pups! We learn from them, or with them, more than we teach. Our words take on a new perspective in their voices, and their needs and challenges lead us to rethink ideas and feelings solidified after years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them even more, because they are our footprint.

What should I tell the children? Shall I tell them to be honest and real or to take advantage of every opportunity in life? Idealism or pragmatism? Would it be mistaken to instill in them values that the world seems to disdain?

So much needless worry! Children listen to what we say to them, but learn from what we do or fail to do. Each small action, each gesture, the tone of an answer, the inconsistency between words and deeds… nothing escapes the attentive scrutiny of those little persons who life has placed in our charge.

Thoughtless intruders, demanding our time and attention even when we have none left, short in years and stature but overwhelming in human complexity, children invade our privacy, foil our plans and reorient our compass to new cardinal points.

We would like for these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled yearnings to follow the paths that we have dreamed of and to desire what we consider most desirable, but they have their own dreams and desires and will have to find their own path.

Time and time again we try to use our experience to protect them from blows, but there are things that can only be learned through stumbling, and life's riddles do not have a single answer.

Amazing little ones! We learn from them, or with them, more than we can teach. In their voices, our words take on a new life, and their needs and challenges make us rediscover ideas and feelings that were buried under years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them even more because they are our footprint.

What should I tell our children? That they be honest and straight, or that they take advantage of everything life has to offer? Mysticism or pragmatism? Would it be wrong to indoctrinate them with values the world seems to despise?

All that worrying for nothing! The children listen to what we say, but they learn from what we do or don’t do. Each small deed, each gesture, the tone of an answer, the inconsistency between what is said and what is done… nothing escapes the close scrutiny by these little persons that life has placed in our care.

Inconsiderate intruders, who demand our time and attention until we have no more left, scarce in years and size but abundant with human complexities, our children invade our privacy, disrupt our plans and redirect our compass towards new cardinal points.

We wish that these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled yearnings follow the paths which we have idealized and that they wish for what suits our desires best, but they have their own dreams and desires, and shall find their own path.

Once in a while we try to use our experience in order to protect them from the blows of life, but there are things that can be learned only by stumbling, and the riddles of life don’t have one sole answer.

Marvellous little creatures! We learn from them, or with them, more than what we teach them. In their voices our words take on a new perspective, and their needs and challenges make us replant seeds of ideas and feelings we’ve been sewing with years of experience.

Our children need us because we show them their way. We need them even more, because they are our imprint.

What shall I tell the kids? Shall I tell them to be honest and righteous, or to make the most of each of life's advantages? Mysticism or pragmatism? Could it be wrong to instill in them values that the world seems to spurn?

So much unwarranted concern! Children listen to what we tell them, but learn from what we do or leave undone. Each little action, each gesture, the tone of a response, the inconsistency between what we say and what we do... nothing escapes the watchful scrutiny of these little people with whom life has entrusted us.

Inconsiderate intruders demanding our time and attention even when we're down to our last breath, short on years and size but full of human complexity, children invade our privacy, lay waste to our plans, and point our compass towards new directions.

We would wish these innocent repositories of our unrealized wishes to follow the paths we have idealized, and to desire what is most desirable to us, but they have their own dreams and wishes, and they are to find their own path.

Once and again we try to use our experience to shield them from life´s blows, but there are things that are only learned by stumbling, and life´s riddles may have more than a single answer.

Fantastic pups! We learn from them, or with them, more than what we teach. In their voices our words acquire a new perspective, and their needs and challenges make us reconsider ideas and feelings that had settled within us after years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them even more, because they are the trace we leave behind.

What should I say to the kids? Should I tell them to be honest and upright, or to take advantage of everything life has to offer? To be mystics or opportunists? Is it a mistake to inculcate values which the world seems not to esteem?

What a lot of worry about nothing!

Children listen to what we say, but learn from what we do or omit to do. The smallest act or gesture, the tone of a reply, words and deeds at variance, nothing escapes the eagle eyes of these small people whom life has placed in our care.

Inconsiderate trespassers who demand our time and attention leaving us not a moment for ourselves, scant in years and size but brimming with human complexity, children invade our privacy, undo our plans, and point our lives in untried directions.

We would love these small repositories of our unfulfilled desires to share the ideals we had and wish for what we found worth wishing for, but they have their own dreams and desires, and will have to find their own paths.

Time and time again we try to use our experience to protect them from blows, but there are some things that are only learnt through mistakes, and there is always more than one way to deal with life's hazards.

Wonderful brats! We learn from them, or with them, more than what we teach them. Our words acquire new avenues of meaning when they speak them, and their needs and challenges force us to re-examine old ideas and feelings congealed by years of routine.

Our offspring need us because we show them the way. And we need them even more, because they are what we will leave behind.

What to tell children? Should I tell them to be honest and upright, or to take advantage of every opportunity in life? Mysticism or pragmatism? Will it be a mistake to instill in them values that the world seems to scorn?

So much unfounded worry! Children listen to what we tell them, but they learn from what we do or refrain from doing. Every small action, every expression, the tone of a response, the inconsistency between words and facts... nothing escapes the attentive scrutiny of those little people who the world has charged us with.

Inconsiderate intruders that demand our time and attention, until almost none is left, limited in age and size but brimming with human complexity, children invade our privacy, mess up our plans and spin our compasses in all new directions.

We would like these innocent repositories of our unfulfilled yearnings to follow the paths that we have idealized and for them to desire that which is most desirable for us, but they have their own dreams and desires, and they must find their own paths.

Time and time again we try to use our experience to protect them from blows, but there are things that are only learned by stumbling along, and the riddles of life have no one single response.

Marvelous pups! We learn from them, or with them, more than what we teach. In their voices, our words acquire a new perspective, and their needs and challenges make us reconsider ideas and feelings that have settled in over years of routine.

Our children need us because we show them the way. We need them even more, because they are our footprints.

What should I tell my kids? To be honest and upstanding citizens? Or to seize every one of life's advantages? Should I preach mysticism or pragmatism? Is it wrong to instill values in them everyone else seems to look down on?

All this fretting based on sheer speculation! Though kids listen to what we tell them, they learn either from what we do or stop doing. Every little action, every gesture, the underlying tone of an answer, the inconsistency between what we say and do...nothing escapes the honed scrutiny of those little people life has placed in our care.

They are inconsiderate little intruders who demand time and attention from us until we have none left to give them. Kids are little in age and size, but are bubbling over with human complexity. They invade our privacy, rearrange our plans and steer us onto a new course.

We would like these innocent repositories for our unfinished dreams to follow down the idealized path we have laid for them. We would also like them to wish for what suits us best. However, they have their own dreams and wishes, and consequently must find their own way.

Again and again, we try to use our own experience to shelter them from the blows life might deal them. But there are some things that you can only learn by stumbling over them first. Also, life's riddles do not have a pat answer.

Oh those marvelous little pups! We learn more either from them or with them than what we ourselves teach them. Our words take on a new perspective in their voices. Their needs and challenges cause us to re-think deeply rooted ideas and feelings that have taken hold after years of routine.

Our kids need us because we show them the way. We need them even more because they are the mark we leave behind.

What am I supposed to tell the kids? Do I tell them to be honest and righteous, or to take advantage of every opportunity in life? Spirituality or practicality? Would it be wrong to instill upon them values that the world seems to scorn?

What nonsense! Kids hear what we say, but they learn from what we do and don’t do. Every move we make, every gesture, the tone of our voice, inconsistencies between what we say and what we do... nothing gets past these alert little people whom fate has put in our care.

Not to mention the demands placed on our time and attention, even when we haven't had a moment's rest, short on age, short on size, but long on human complexity, our kids invade our privacy, derail our plans, and divert us in new directions.

We would love it if these innocent bearers of our unfulfilled dreams were to follow the path that we envision for them and to want what we consider most desirable, but they have their own dreams and desires, and they must follow their own path.

Every now and then we try to use our experience to shield them from harm, but there are things we only learn the hard way, and life’s riddles don't have only one right answer.

Amazing little darlings! We learn from them, or along with them, more than what we teach them. Through their voices our words take on a fresh perspective, and their needs and challenges cause us to breathe new life into ideas and feelings that have taken root after years of habit.

Our children need us to show them the way. We need them even more because, for us, they are the way.