I got the best grade from our 12-year old the other day. We were to mention three characteristics about each-other. He said (about me):

Happy, loves her family (can be an adjective in Swedish) and… proper.

Happy, yes that’s what everybody says, no surprise there. Proper, apparently I’m fooling someone ;).

But “loves her family” – dang. Straight into my heart. I do, I do, I do and his comment just gave me proof that the way I do it works. He knows I love him, his brother and his father. They are the most important to me – and he understands it. High five to me and to every other parent who do their best (and I mean to those who REALLY makes an effort, not to those you who use it as an excuse).