CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

I took my three young sons to church on Sunday for some rare exposure to spiritual meaning. The 4.5YO, spent the whole service counting things and writing the numbers down, the 3.5YO put his head on my lap and went to sleep and the 1YO, who is just learning to walk, clambered all over shouting at everyone. The padre is very patient, almost indulgent, and seems to feel that my boys have some hope (in the spritual sense) simply because I managed to get them to church!

It was Mothers' Day and so his sermon focussed on that. He used the poem below to preach from. Apparently it was the mantra of parents in the states in the latter half of C20. I thnk it's brilliant and keeping it in mind helps me be less critical and more positive in dealing with the chaos of 3 under 5YOs.

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE
Dorothy Law Nolte
(Adapted)

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
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