| | So you know how grandma-types are just crazy about babies and little kids? And not just their own either, it extends to everyone's little ones. Now that I'm a mom, that makes more sense to me. No matter how much work, how little sleep, how "inconvenient" kids are - it's worth being able to pick up a little body for a snuggle whenever you want it. There's something so comfortable, so comforting, so right about holding a tiny person in your arms. It's kind of addicting. So then the sweet little bundles grow up, get too big or too heavy or too old for your lap, and eventually move away. I imagine that creates a terrible withdrawal. Hence, the grandma-types. I'm sure I'll be one eventually too.
My own grandma has been going through papers, trying to clean out her files. She's passed on to me lots of things to read about children and parenting. Some I've kept, some I've thrown away, and some I'm going to share with you. There are about 863 cool things, but I won't write them all down - at least not in this post. That's why I called this one part one.
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Think, Love, Act, Trust
"Four things a man must learn to do if he would make his record true;
To think without confusion clearly; To love his fellowmen sincerely;
To act from honest motives purely; To trust in God and heaven securely."
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A Boy to His Dad
To get his goodnight kiss he stood beside my chair one night
And raised an eager face to me, a face with love alight.
And as I gathered in my arms the son God gave to me,
I thanked the lad for being good, and hoped he'd always be.
His little arms crept 'round my neck and then I heard him say
Four simple words I can't forget - four words that made me pray.
They turned a mirror on my soul, on secrets no one knew.
They startled me, I hear them yet; he said, "I'll be like you."
-Herbert Parker from Farmers' Almanac
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If You Will Not Teach Your Children
If you neglect to instruct your children in the way of holiness, will the devil neglect to instruct them in the way of wickedness? No; if you will not teach them to pray, he will teach them to curse and lie. If ground be uncultivated, weeds will spring. -John Flavel
We flatter those we scarcely know, We please the fleeting guest;
Yet oft we deal a thoughtless blow to those we love the best.
-Riverside Reflections
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This next one left me amazed at how the world has changed and wondering what would happen if such a publication were circulated today. This was an insert, probably with a bank statement or something, from Coast Federal Savings and Loan Association - "If it's safety you want most, open your savings account at Coast." Yes, I am going to type out every word on this paper because I can hardly believe it's real.
Twelve Rules For Raising Delinquent Children - Issued by the Police Department of Houston, Texas
1. Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.
2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him, This will make him think he's cute. It will also encourage him to pick up "cuter" phrases that will blow off the top of your head later.
3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is 21 and then let him "decide for himself."
4. Avoid use of the word "wrong." It may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.
5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around - books, shoes, and clothes. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced in throwing all responsibilities on others.
6. Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silver-ware and drinking glasses are sterilized, but let his mind feast on garbage.
7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they will not be too shocked when the home is broken up later.
8. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as you had them?
9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort. See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.
10. Take his part against neighbors, teachers, policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child.
11. When he gets into real trouble, apologize for yourself by saying, "I never could do anything for him."
12. Prepare for a life of grief. You will be likely to have it.
(***allow me a brief editorial note - I doubt whoever wrote this up had any idea how many people would adopt his set of rules. Did he know these children would soon be called "normal", as "delinquent" is not a very flattering term? Also note that he uses 'he' and 'him', not feeling the need to alternate genders with each rule as we commonly see now. end editorial note***)
This is a reprint from "Economic Intelligence", August 1959, published by Chamber of Commerce of the United States.
Other inserts in this series available free upon request:
12 Rules for Raising Responsible Children
12 Legal Duties and Rights of Parents to Their Children
A Way to Earn More Is to Learn More
M/T? The Focus of the Juvenile Court...
M/T? There Is Such a Thing As a Bad Boy
Economics for Boys and Girls
To The Future Leaders of Our Country
Child Labor Laws Prevent Children From Working Legally
Distributed as a public service by
Additional copies available from
Coast Federal Savings' Free Enterprise Department
9th & Hill, Los Angeles, CA 90014 623-1351
(***wow! The public service papers I receive sure don't cover topics like that!***)
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More later, along with some pictures.
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| | Posted 2/13/2009 12:49 AM - 7 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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