I read a blog post today and it really struck a cord with me. Since I have begun this "step parenting and parenting" journey, I have felt so unprepared to teach my kids the right things. I often wonder "why isn't there a manual for this"? I know we have so many sources to turn to, such as the scriptures, people we respect and admire and any self help book you can imagine. But some days I know I'm not doing all I can and should be doing to help build these boys into the fine young men I hope they will one day be. The poem below came from the post I read and it kind of helps sum up what I do and don't want my boys to learn from me. I have some work to do...especially in the building UP area. Sometimes it is so easy to get lost in frustrations and busyness of the day that we tend to focus on the negative and forget the positive. I need to switch that around so that the positive is heard more in my home. I will be buying this book from amazon.com in the near future to help me with this journey.
Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte (1924-2005)
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 feel 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 the world is a nice place in which to live.
