21 Memos From Your Child

Well, it's been a while.  Longer than I had anticipated, actually.  When I started this blog, I thought I would certainly post something everyday...or every few days (at least).  But life happens, and time is scarce...and I have been slacking.  Anyway...this morning a co-worker handed me this paper titled, "Twenty-One Memos From Your Child".  She had told me about it a while back and said that when she came across it again she would make me a copy...and this morning she did.  It was so cute & funny & true that I couldn't resist sharing.

Twenty-One Memos From Your Child

1. Don't spoil me.  I know quite well I ought not to have all I ask for.  I am only testing you, really.
2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me.  I prefer it:  it makes me feel more secure.
3. Don't let me form bad habits.  I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.
4. Don't make me feel smaller than I am.  It only makes me behave stupidly "big".
5. Don't correct me in front of people if you can help it.  I'll take more notice if you talk quietly in private.
6. Don't protect me from consequences.  I need to learn the painful way sometimes.
7. Don't make me feel my mistakes are sins.  It upsets my sense of values.
8. Don't be too upset then I say, "I hate you".  It isn't you I hate, but your power to thwart me.
9. Don't take too much notice of my small ailments.  Sometimes they get me the attention I need.
10. Don't nag.  If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf. 
11. Don't make rash promises.  Remember that I feel badly let down when they are broken. 
12. Don't forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like.  This is why I'm not always very accurate.
13. Don't tax my honesty too much.  I'm easily frightened into telling lies.
14. Don't push (put) me off when I ask questions.  If you do, you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere. 
15. 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.
16. Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible.  It gives me too great a shock when I discover you are neither.
17. Don't be inconsistent.  It completely confuses me and makes me lose my faith in you. 
18. Don't ever think it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me.  An honest apology makes me surprisingly warm toward you.
19. Don't forget I love experimenting.  I couldn't get on without it, so please put up with it.
20. Don't forget how quickly I am growing up.  It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but please try. 
21. Don't forget that I can't thrive without lots of understanding love, but I don't need to tell you, do I?

I think that regardless the age of your child/children, some or most of these can be good reminders.  Because, as parents, sometimes we all could use a little reminder from time to time.  Right?!

Until next time...