To My Daughter: Words for the New Year

I believe that if you're old enough to ask;

Then you are old enough for an answer.

So I promise always to answer your questions;

Even if the answers scare me. 

I believe in the power of critical thinking,

And the power of knowledge;

So I promise to arm you with information.

I also believe that some things are beyond science,

So I promise to teach you about the need to have an open-mind,

So that you can understand some things are real even if your senses can't prove their existence;
And that you believe in them because you have faith.

I promise to accept that you are different then myself;

And so I will never stand in your way or hold you back;

But I will help you to build your life's foundation,

So that you can weather every storm that touches your life and still stand strong. 

I believe in discipline,

So I will punish you when necessary in order to teach you right from wrong;

So that you can develop morals,

And learn that there are consequences for every action. 

I also believe in praise, 

So I promise to let you know when I am proud of you,

When you have done something smart or kind or good,

So that you know that good behavior has rewards.

I believe in respecting others and their beliefs,

So I promise to teach you the value of respecting others,

And to instill in you the belief that every person matters,

Even if they are different from you.

I promise that we will both make mistakes, 

And when you make a mistake I will stand beside you,

And help you make it right again;

And when I make a mistake I promise that I will admit to them;

Apologize and make them right,

So that you can learn that nobody is perfect,

But that this is okay so long as you keep learning and growing as a person.

I promise that there will be times when I am unbelievably mad at you;

But I also promise that I will never love you less, no matter what. 

I promise that there are times that I will be incredibly proud of you,

And when the time comes that you need to take your own path,

I will let you go.

But I also promise that my path will always run alongside yours,

And that they will intersect again and again;

And that I will always be there when you need me.  

I believe that because my actions gave you your life,

That my responsibility is to love, guide, and teach you;

So that one day you will be a better person than myself,

And I believe that my job doesn't stop just because you've reached a certain age;

You will always be my daughter at every age, even when you are old and grey. 

And I accept that responsibility and promise that every action that I take

Is with this responsibility in my mind and love in my heart.