Are We Still Your Babies?

Today I had to be very firm with my children. They were having more than a little trouble paying attention at one point. I firmly reprimanded them and suspended our activity. I told them that I was not angry with them (I wasn't), but that they needed to show respect and trust me. At the end of a very long day (too tired to explain), I said goodbye to the babies and sent them home. Two of them stayed after to be tutored. One turned to me and said, "Are we still your babies?" My heart just nearly burst as I embraced her and ensured her that they were--and always would be.