I read once that the best parents are the ones who - simply - are there.

Show up for your kid, in other words. Be around. Talk to him. Play with her.

Be present.

The little things can wait (I try to remember this, as the dishes are piled in the sink and there's food on the FLOOR).

They grow up so fast.

These are things we all know. But it's important to remind ourselves that our babies won't be little forever. There will come a day when they no longer want us around like they do now. There will come a time when they don't need us to put them to bed.

Even when they're not so little, though, they still need us. Westside Middle School is hosting a conference all about parent involvement later this month. It's open to all of us.

Read more about it here.

posted by Veronica on Monday March 8, 2010