Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will tell them, as my mean Mom and Dad told me:

• I loved you enough to ask where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home.

• I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep.

• I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes.

• I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents aren’t perfect.

• I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.

• But most of all, I loved you enough to say “No” when I knew you would hate me for it.

Those were the most difficult battles of all. I’m glad I won them, because in the end you won, too. And someday when your children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates parents, you will tell them.