Category Archives: Life

A Memorandum from your Child

Posted on by
2

Many years ago, before I even thought of having children, I came across “A Memorandum from your Child,” and it made a lot of sense to me. So, I kept it. Now over 20 years later with one child in our home, the message still resonates with me. And if I listen very closely, I can hear Mathew whispering these parenting tips to me on a daily basis.

 A Memorandum from your Child 

  1. DO NOT spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I’m only testing you.
  2. DO NOT be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it. It lets me know where I stand.
  3. DO NOT use force with me. It teaches me that power is all that counts. I will respond more readily to being led.
  4. DO NOT be inconsistent with me. That confuses me and makes me try to get away with everything I can.
  5. DO NOT make promises; you may not be able to keep them. That will discourage my trust in you.
  6. DO NOT fall for my provocations when I say and do things just to upset you. Then I’ll try for other such “victories.”
  7. DO NOT be too upset when I say, “I hate you.” I do not mean it, but I want you to feel sorry for what you have done to me.
  8. DO NOT make me feel smaller than I am. I will make up for it by behaving like a “big shot”.
  9. DO NOT do things for me that I can do for myself. It makes me feel like a baby, and I may continue to put you in my service.
  10. DO NOT let my “bad habits” get me a lot of attention. It only encourages me to continue them.
  11. DO NOT correct me in front of people. I’ll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.
  12. DO NOT try to discuss my behavior in the heat of a conflict. For some reason my hearing is not very good at this time and my cooperation is even worse. It is all right to take the action required, but let’s not talk about it until later.
  13. DO NOT try to preach to me. You would be surprised how well I know what’s right and wrong.
  14. DO NOT make me feel that my mistakes are sins. I have to learn to make mistakes without feeling that I am no good.
  15. DO NOT nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.
  16. DO NOT demand explanations for my wrong behavior. I really do not know why I did that.
  17. DO NOT tax my honesty too much. I am easily frightened into telling lies.
  18. DO NOT forget that I love and use experimenting. I learn from it so please put up with it.
  19. DO NOT protect me from consequences. I need to learn from experience.
  20. DO NOT take too much notice of my small ailments. I may learn to enjoy poor health if it gets me much attention.
  21. DO NOT put me off when I ask HONEST questions. If you do, you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.
  22. DO NOT answer “SILLY” or meaningless questions. I just want to keep you busy with me.
  23. DO NOT ever think that it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm towards you.
  24. DO NOT ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too much to live up to.
  25. DO NOT worry about the little amount of time we spend together. It is how we spend it that counts.
  26. DO NOT let my fears arouse your anxiety. Then I will become more afraid. Show me courage.
  27. DO NOT forget that I cannot strive without lots of understanding and encouragement; but I do not need to tell you that…do I?

~Author Unknown~

Sharing

Posted on by
Reply

I tend to walk around in a bubble thinking if I know “this about that,” it is common knowledge. Ever so often I am reminded that I may know something that not everyone else does. It is always shocking to me. The other day a dear friend of mine reminded me of this. We were on a hike, exploring, and discussing what was springing up. I was getting so excited and sharing everything I knew about what was around us. She has always been fun to share with, as she really seems interested in what I am telling her. We’ve been doing this for over 30 years and regardless of the time that passes between each hike, it simply flows. It’s a beautiful thing. At one point, I started talking about life cycles and how many people see one plant or critter at one stage and know what it is, but at another stage, they don’t recognize that it is the same plant or critter. My example was the dandelion. Most people recognize the yellow flower sprouting up all over their lawns as a dandelion but once it goes to seed, some people do not make the connection that it is the same plant. Well, my friend admitted that she never made the connection. She then went on to explain how although she loves the outdoors, she relies on me to tell her what’s what because it was my thing to study, not hers. She even mentioned that there are moments when she needs me to explain something to her when I am not there. I have to admit, it really made me feel very special when she told me that. Because, plain and simple, I really do love to share and sometimes forget that people really enjoy to hear what I have to say, I guess that is what this blog is all about. Sharing things I take for granted and helping others with making day-to-day stuff easier or perhaps making their lives healthier or brighter in some way, because really this is what it is all about; trying to make a positive difference. I found this wonderful time-lapse dandelion flower to seed head video (don’t you just love the internet) and just had to share.