Most loving Father,
the example of parenthood,
you have entrusted
our children
to us to bring them up for you and prepare
them for everlasting life.
Assist us with your grace,
that we may fulfill this sacred duty
with competence and love.
Teach us what
to give and what to withhold.
Show us when to reprove,
when to praise and when to be silent.
Make us gentle and
considerate, yet
firm and watchful.
Keep us from the
weakness
of indulgence and the excess of severity.
Give us the courage to be disliked sometimes
by our children when we must do necessary
things which are displeasing in their eyes.
Give us the imagination to enter their world
in order to understand and guide them.
Grant us all the virtues we need to lead
them by word and example in the ways
of wisdom and piety.
One day, with them,
may we enter into
the joys of our true and lasting home
with you in heaven.
Amen.