Memo From Your Child
This is an article that came from a DeKalb newspaper in the early 1970’s. I read it before I had my first child and it really helped me with raising my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the children I taught. It’s not an owner’s manual but can be helpful! Happy Reading :)
Memo From Your Child
- Don’t spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I’m only testing you.
- Don’t be afraid to be firm with me . I prefer it. It makes me feel more loved, safe and secure.
- Don’t let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.
- Don’t correct me in front of other people if you can help it. I’ll take much more notice if you talk quietly in private.
- Don’t be too upset when I say, “I hate you.” It isn’t you I hate, but your power to thwart me.
- Don’t protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.
- Don’t take too much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they give the attention I need.
- Don’t nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.
- Don’t make rash promises. Remember that I feel badly let down when promises are broken.
- Don’t be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.
- Don’t put me off when I ask questions. If you do, you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.
- Don’t tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.
- Don’t ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too great a shock when I discover you are neither.
- Don’t ever think that it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm towards you..
- Don’t forget I love experimenting. I couldn’t get on without it, so please put up with it.
- Don’t forget how quickly I am growing up. It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but please try.
- Don’t forget that I can’t thrive without lots of understanding love.
