reap what you sow
I guess the first time I heard this applied to parenting was when my kids were still young, I may have only had one child at the time. I was in a seminar where the speaker said “if you don’t like the way your kids are acting, it’s your own fault”. Well, that was pretty hard to swallow, but I had to know that she was right. If you think your kids are talking rude, listen to yourself. If your kids are lying, stop and hear what stories you are telling. If your kids are disrespecting authority, how do you submit? And of course, the list goes on. Even though I hate to admit that there is so much truth to that, I have to face up to it. Especially as my kids get older and sound more and more like me….
It reminds me of a poster I used to have in my room when I was very young. I still remember it and have not seen it in a while. I will post it here with credit given to the author:
Dorothy Law Nolte
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 what envy is.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
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 approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with recognition,
he learns that it is good to have a goal.
If a child lives with sharing,
he learns about generosity.
If a child lives with honesty and fairness,
he learns what truth and justice are.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.
If a child lives with friendliness,
he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.
If you live with serenity,
your child will live with peace of mind.
