As I collected, assembled, and compiled this book, even after more than fifteen years of accumulating and reading these notes, there has not been a time when I wasn’t filled with an array of emotions. It’s the difficult and many times gut-wrenching feelings expressed that are the hardest to digest. The honesty of the children’s notes can be most overwhelming to read, especially as parents. There are many books on parenting. This is a different kind of parenting book. I wanted to bring you the voice of the children. This book has, in its most simplistic way, hopefully taught you what children want most from their parents. They want to feel safe, loved, wanted, accepted as they are, and mostly they want your complete and undivided attention, at least some of the time. I also hope that you have a better realization of how smart and deep-thinking elementary-aged children are. They understand much more than you can imagine. They have their own perceptions and beliefs when the family is going through a crisis, even if you don’t tell them anything. They have complicated and prolific minds. They long for an attachment and a connection to you, the people that are supposed to love them the most—their parents. With that richness of safety and love, the possibilities are endless. Lastly, for the thousands of children that will forever have a warm and special place in my heart for sharing their “Elementary Thoughts” with me, I will lovingly remember you always.

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