What children want

Children want to feel safe
They want you to smile at them
They want you to hold them
They want you to be there
That costs nothing.

Children want to be happy
They want you to play with them
They want you to laugh with them
They want you to tickle them
That costs nothing.

Children want to be heard
They want you to listen to their cries
They want you to hear their babble
They want you to talk back to them
That costs nothing.

Children want to spend time with you
They want to help you to fold the washing
They want to watch you bake a cake
They want you to read a book to them
That costs nothing.

Children want to know that they matter
They want you to talk with your eyes
They want you to get down to their level
They want you to celebrate their milestones
That costs nothing.

Children want to know that you are happy
They want to see your smiles
They want to receive your hugs and kisses
They want to hear your laugh
That costs nothing.

Children want to learn about the world
They want to go for walks with you
They want you to answer their questions
They want you to take the time to explain things
That costs nothing.

Children want to be like you
They want to see how you do things
They don’t care how much it costs
They want to be your shadow
That costs nothing.

Children want you
They want your time
They want your attention
They want your love
That costs nothing.