With summer here, and the children home more then usual, it’s a
great time to review the ABC’s of raising children, which was
published many years ago, in Ann Landers column and contributed by
Jo Frisbie von Tiehl with small extrapolations by me.
With summer here, and the children home more then usual, it’s a great time to review the ABC’s of raising children, which was published many years ago, in Ann Landers column and contributed by Jo Frisbie von Tiehl with small extrapolations by me.
A is for Accountability. Hold your children accountable for their behavior.
B is for Boundaries. Set specific limits, and make clear the repercussions if those limits are exceeded.
C is for Consistency. Hold to the same principles and practices.
D is for Discipline. Make the punishment fit the crime. Never discipline in anger.
E is for Example. Children are in greeter need of models than critics. Set a good example.
F is for Forgiveness. Practice it and teach the importance of forgiving and forgetting.
G is for Giving. Teach the joy of giving, not only to family and friends, but to strangers in need.
H is for sense of Humor. Keep your sense of humor. Promote laughter with your children. Laughter keeps the doctor away.
I is for Imagination. Be creative and play with your children. Make up stories and songs when you read and sing with them.
J is for Justice. Be fair, and insist that they be fair also.
K is for Knowing your children’s friends, and their parents as well as their teachers. A very wise person once said, trust but verify.
L is for Listening. Listen to your children. It will teach them how to listen to others, and their thoughts will give you insights. Ask open ended questions, that cannot be answered with yes or no answers, then sit back and actively listen.
M is for Morals. Be sure your own standard of conduct is sound.
N is for No. Use it, and mean it. This is where consistency comes in big time.
O is for Outdoors. Provide as much outdoor activity as possible. Teach respect for nature.
P is for Pressure. Reduce the pressure on your children, but insist they maintain high standards.
Q is for Questions. Pay close attention to their questions, and give simple answers unless they demand more.
R is for Respect. Show respect, teach respect and earn respect.
S is for Source of Strength. Share your own faith or beliefs with your children. Faith will be their port in the storms of life later and we all enter storms.
T is for Togetherness. Have special designated times to be together as a family yet it is important to know when to let go. Practice the art of empowering, not enabling.
U is for Uniqueness. Understand the uniqueness of each child, and let that child be who she or he is.
V is for Voice. Your tone of voice will convey more to a child than the words spoken.
W is for Words. Keep your word. Promises broken destroy trust. Be impeccable with your word.
X is for eXamine. Examine constantly and be aware. Also realize your words and actions are eXamples for your children to follow.
Y is for you. Take care of yourself mentally, physically and spiritually. A peaceful, loving joyful parent helps a child to be peaceful, joyful and loving.
Z is for Zowie. Who would have thought they would grow up so quickly?
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Have an outstanding, fun filled July 4, and remember to to be filled with gratitude on this anniversary of America’s independence. I am still hoping someone will step forward and help make cool ties for our military who are deployed in the sand box of Iraq. Temps are hitting 110 to 120 degrees. Only experience needed is sewing straight lines. Safety prayers for our military and their families. Independence is freedom, and freedom is not free.
Mary Ellen Salzano is a Realtor for Century 21 Premier. She lives in Morgan Hill with her husband and two children. She also is a library commissioner.
