Children Learn What They Live

It's been an average sort of day really so I don't have much to report. I awoke about 10:30 and spent most of the day mucking around on my computer. Mind you, I wasn't totally lazy. I did do a couple of loads of laundry and cooked a roast dinner.

Anyway, here's a quote from a book I read some time ago. I was so touched by these words at the time, that I noted them down in my old, written journal. Unfortunately I did not write down the reference, so I can't cite it here. If you recognise the excerpt and know which book it is from, please let me know.

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

However,

If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship, they learn to find love in the world.

These words seem amazing to me, but I can't sufficiently explain why. Perhaps I still mourn for a perfect childhood. I doubt that the "perfect childhood" exists though. That's kind of sad.

Anyway, if I ever become a parent (and I'm not planning to anytime soon) I hope I will remember to print out the above words and stick them onto my fridge. In that way I will be able to remind myself on a daily basis just how important parenting is.