Aretha Franklin.

Do you want me to change your diaper?

No, he says.

Do I respect his wishes?
Do I not change it?
Of course not.

And when he wants to run out in the street,
do I respect his wishes?

Do I let him learn the hard way?
Of course not.

When he wants to eat only cold cereal for every meal, do I say Okay?
Of course not.

It is a gift parents (can) give;
the aggressive gift of respecting them enough to listen,
and respecting them enough to say No,

and respecting them enough to explain Why after saying No,
and respecting them enough to demand they challenge themselves,
and try new things, and discover new foods,

and not let their preferences settle into place while their lives are alive with the potential for discovery.

That is Respect.

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