Children Learn What They Live

I'm currently reading The Idiot's Guide to Raising a Strong-Willed Child in an attempt to better understand my son's actions and continually find more productive ways to handle my reactions. I love that little boy with all my heart but I cannot deny that he is surely a little spitfire sometimes, LOL! Plus I want to learn whatever I can as a parent to better understand myself and my kids - something I didn't have with my own parents. :(

I found this poem in the book which was written by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. approx. 50 yrs. ago. It amazed me when reading it how relevent it is even in the present time. Makes one realize that good parenting, and even bad parenting, can leave timeless effects. Enjoy the poem! . . . .


If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy
If children live with jealousy, they learn to envy
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves
If children live with recognition,they learn it is good to have a goal
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness
If children live with fairness, they learn justice
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and
in those about them
If children live with friendliness, they learn that the world is a nice
place to live