When I was a teenager and found out I was about to have a child, I wanted more than anything to do it right… to make sure my child felt loved….I remember a popular writing from the time that had a major impact on me the day I read it. It was very simple, no artistic embellishment, only the words in calligraphy on parchment paper. I hung it over Steve’s crib as a reminder that every action, positive and negative, affects the little child whose life we are entrusted with….
CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn…
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight…
If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive…
If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself…
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy…
If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilt…
But…
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient…
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident…
If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative…
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love…
If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is…
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice…
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and those about him…
If a child lives with friendliness, he learns the world is a nice place in which to live.
By Dorothy Louise Nolte
He’s all grown up now and I think we did a great job ! He’s smarter than I ever dreamt of being , a good man, a loving father, a great friend, has a kind heart that’s about as big as the Atlantic ocean and not a single mean bone in his body…Happy Birthday my son…
Thanks Momma.
Dinner was good that night, thanks for that too.
And your gift. Thanks for that too.
And being my mom. Thanks for that the most.