When a person becomes an expectant parent, there are a number of
            
 thoughts and feelings they experience, whether it is their  first or fifth
            
 child.  It is interesting to explore some of these feelings through a
            
       Although I have only known you for a short time, you are already an
            
 important part of my life.  Before you were conceived, all I could think of
            
 was becoming a parent and raising a happy child that would be showered with
            
       I am sure that as you grow up, I will make mistakes and hopefully
            
 learn from them.  I've already read a number of articles on important
            
 parenting characteristics and plan on implementing them into your
            
 upbringing.  I feel it is important to know when to be authoritative and
            
 when to be permissive (Frick-Horbury).  I realize that I will have a strong
            
 influence on you and have discovered that your "genetic makeup will affect
            
 your own behavioral characteristics, and also influence the way I will
            
 treat you (Maccoby)."  I hope I will always exhibit positive
            
 characteristics such as "providing emotional warmth, constantly showing an
            
 interest in your activities, finding enjoyment in interactions with you,
            
 and providing you with guidance and assistance (Poikkeus)."   I am an
            
 honest, soft-hearted person who believes in the importance of fairness, and
            
 believe these strengths will be instrumental in raising a person who can
            
       As you grow up, I pray that you have a happy disposition, love all
            
 living creatures, and respect the world around you.  These qualities are a
            
 rarity today in many people and I truly believe if more people exhibited
            
 them, there would be less discord in the world.
            
       I dream that you will grow up in a world that knows peace.  I hope
            
 all of your dreams come true and that no one ever tries to dissuade you
            
 from any goal you set.   Remember as you grow up, that while y
            
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