Caring for Kids

An Accredited Organization of Parents Anonymous ® Inc.

by Imelda Tatsch

In February, most thoughts turn to Valentines Day -- the day of LOVE!!! We look for ways to express our feelings of love for each other through poems, cards, candy, and flowers. Because of the focus on love this month, I thought this would be a great time to share a special poem from a daddy to his little girl.

Through the Child Advocacy Center we offer a parenting program in the Johnston Unit Substance Abuse Treatment Facility here in Winnsboro. We use” Turning Points” a curriculum created specifically for incarcerated parents. In this case the class attendees are all men. Many have been away from their families for a year or more when they come into our classes and support groups. To see the benefits they receive is very rewarding for those of us that are privileged to be facilitators for these classes. These men come into this class with so much willingness to learn and an eagerness to right the wrongs they have done to their families.

We get many letters and poems throughout the course of the class, as the men begin to see their mistakes and want to share their thoughts on how they plan to do better once they are able to return home. The following is a poem one of our “dads” wrote to his little girl. * Copied exactly as it was written, with the exception of the child’s name which has been changed for confidentiality.

Roses and Butterflies- Thorns and Fireflies
I see a special friend when I look into your eyes
A flower in the springtime, a light at night
Seeing you smile is such a beautiful sight
I wanna take you to ride rides at the circus and ponys at the county fair
I wanna be there to fight off monsters in your night mares!
I’ll hold you in my arms and kiss you on the head,
Tell you it’s going to be okay and tuck you back in bed!
Although we might be so far apart
Always remember your Daddy’s in your heart
Briana* I know you miss me, I miss you too , but
Daddy loves you and I’ll be there soon.

Love Daddy

These men have made mistakes and many are living only as they know how, repeating a cycle. They often don’t even realize that what they are doing with their lives has a great affect on their families. We receive letters and cards of thanks from the men during class and after they have gone back to their families. Those that do write back are grateful for the new skills learned and tell us how they are using them in their daily lives now.

On a lighter note:
I thought you might enjoy knowing the true meaning of love from the experts, the children. Enjoy!!!

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen," Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate," Nikka - age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget," Jessica - age 8

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4

"There are two kinds of love. Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them." Jenny - age 8

Happy Valentines Day!!!

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Imelda Tatsch is the Program Director at the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center (NETCAC) located in Winnsboro, and her columns appear in their bi-monthly newsletter. In "Caring for Kids" she offers support, insight, and a touch of humor for parents and grandparents. She is a trained facilitator for parenting classes.

She will be happy to answer questions about parenting and family relationships. You can e-mail her with your questions.