"I've found that I have an inner child who got buried over the years. When my daughter wants to play 'Cinderella,' it's just as much fun for me to pretend I'm a princess going to the ball as it is for her."
-- Heidi Perry-Hipp, Calverton, NY

"My daughter has shown me that it really is possible to eat your lunch and chew on your feet at the same time."
-- Christy Johnson, Cincinnati

"Persistence and humor can get you what you want. Once, my youngest kept interrupting my conversation, so I kept saying, 'Just a minute, honey.' Finally, he exploded with 'Hellooo! I need some talk here!'"
-- Debra Rienestra, Grand Rapids, MI

"Having children has taught me that I can survive without sleep, a functioning brain, and sex."
-- Brian Miller, New York City

"My kids remind me that things are not as evident as we think: My daughter thought it was a 'cool coincidence' that all her cousins were also the kids of her aunts and uncles."
-- Mary Lynn Hendrickson, Stoughton, WI

"You've got to appreciate a child's innocent view of the world. When my three-year-old son and I were digging for worms so that we could go fishing, Mattie plucked a big, fat one from the dirt, held it in front of his face and said, 'Hi, worm, wanna go fishing later?'"
-- Betsy Miller, Monticello, MN

"My son has taught me how to have patience because he has shown me what frustration looks like."
-- Marlo Scott, Margate, FL

"A mom doesn't stand a chance of winning the race when her two-year-old is running from her in the house. Kids are always quicker. What you have to do is stop, look at her, and wait for her to come to you."
-- Donna Medack, Wills Point, TX