Treat Your Children as you Would a Guest in your Home.

I thought that this was funny. I heard it in another amazing TALK by Jack R. Christianson about Self Esteem, it's called "Man is that he might have joy. Seriously, if you have never heard this talk, listen to it. It's amazing. I love it. I have listened to it 3 times just this weekend. But I love Jack Christianson. At the end of this funny clip I am putting a list of things he talked about also that is SOOOOO amazing for any parent to read, even if you don't want to read all this, read the end...

This is by a radio personality named Emma Bombeck...

On TV the other day, a leading child psychologist said parents should treat their children as they would treat their best friend...with courtesy, dignity and diplomacy.

"I have never treated my children any other ways," I told myself. But later that night, I thought about it. Did I really talk to my best friends like I talked to my children? Just suppose.....our good friends, Fred and Eleanor, came to dinner one night and......

"Well, it's about time you two got here! What have you been doing? Dawdling? Leave those shoes outside, Fred. They've got mud on them. And shut the door. Were you born in a barn?

"So Eleanor, how have you been? I've been meaning to have you over for such a long time. Fred! Take it easy on the chip dip or you'll ruin your dinner. I didn't work over a hot stove all day long to have you nibble like some bird."

"Heard from any of the gang lately? Got a card from the Martins. Yes, they're in Lauderdale again. They go every year to the same spot. What's the matter with you, Fred? You're fidgeting. Of course you have to go. It's down the hall, first door on the left. And I don't want to see a towel in the middle of the floor when you're finished.

"Did you wash your face before you came, Eleanor? I see a dark spot around your mouth. I guess it's a shadow. Do, how are your children? If you ask me I think summer school is great for them. Is everybody hungry? Then, why don't we go into dinner? You all wash up and I'll take up the food. Don't tell me your hands are clean, Eleanor. I saw you playing with the dog.

"Fred, you sit over there and Eleanor you can sit with the half glass of milk. You know you're all elbows with it comes to milk. There now, your host will say grace.

"Fred, I don't see any cauliflower on your plate. Have you ever tried it? Well, try a spoonful. If you don't like it I won't make you finish it, but if you don't try it, you can just forget dessert. And sit up straight or your spine will grow that way. Now, what were we talking about? Oh yes, the Gerbers. They sold their house. I mean they took a beating but....Eleanore, don't talk with food in your mouth. I can't understand a word you're saying. And use your napkin."

At that moment in my fantasy, my son walked into the room. "How nice of you to come," I said pleasantly.

"Now what did I do?" he sighed.

This is supposed to be a poem I think, but I typed it in my outline for my lesson today so sorry... it's in list format....

a. Children learn what they live:

i. If children live with criticism they learn to condemn.

ii. If children live with tolerance they learn to be patient

iii. If children live with ridicule they learn to be shy

iv. If children live with encouragement they learn confidence

v. If children live with security they learn to have faith

vi. If children grow up with fear they end up standing at the end of every line

vii. If children live with praise they learn to stand alone and lead their parade even if it’s raining

viii. If children are spoiled with indulgence and permissiveness, they grow up full of compromise and greed

ix. If CHrildren are given challenges and responsibilities they grow up with values and goals

x. If children grow up with optimism they will grow up believing they were meant to fly. Born to be Queens and Kings.

xi. If children live with hate they will grow up to be blind to beauty and true love

xii. If children grow up with love, they will live to give their love away and become blind to hate

xiii. If children are reminded of all the bad in them we see they’ll become exactly as we’d hoped they’d never be

xiv. But if we tell our children we’re so proud to wear their name they’ll learn to win believing they’ll achieve their highest aim. Because children live what they learn and learn what they live.