As a parent, we encounter this over and over throughout our children's' lives. We try to be role model, setting a good example, leading them in direction we'd like them to go. But our little darlings usually have other plans. And that usually consists of whatever their peers are doing at moment.

When new behavior is a positive thing, like playing a game of Chess, we can enjoy watching our children pursue new hobby. But, we must always be on alert for other habits that come from outside influences.

For example, another recent habit that my son came home from school with is a heavy dose of sarcasm. He isn't getting it from someone in our home, so it's safe to assume that someone in his class might be giving lessons during recess. If I have my way, whoever it is will soon have one less student to teach.

It's moments like that when we wish we were magic. Why couldn't I say “Abracadabra!” and make all hurt go away? I think bump and scratch bothered me more than it did her. She kept telling me that it's ok, she was fine. She sure didn't look fine! Aren't I supposed to be protector? Why wasn't I there to catch her, or to keep her away from stairs? Speaking to my mother on phone yesterday evening, I found I wasn't only one feeling guilty. I had to reassure my mother that it wasn't her fault, while battling my own feelings of guilt.

The truth is, no matter how hard we try, we can't protect our children from every fall. But we can be there to pick them up, dry their tears, and help them to keep going. And things could have been much worse. I keep having dreadful thoughts of how badly she could have been hurt. We were extremely lucky that worst she got was a lump on her head.