children learn what they live

if a child lives with criticism. . . . . . . .he learns to condemn.
 if a child lives with hostility. . . . . . . . he learns to fight. 
if a child lives with fear. . . . . . . .he learns to be apprehensive. 
if a child lives with jealousy. . . . . . . .he learns to feel guilt.
BUT
if a child lives with tolerance.......he learns to be patient. 
if a child lives with encouragement . . . . . . . .he learns to be confident. 
if a child lives with praise. . . . . . . .he learns to be appreciative. 
if a child lives with acceptance. . . . . . . .he learns to love. 
if a child lives with approval. . . . . . . .he learns to like himself. 
if a child lives with recognition . . . . . . . .he learns that it is good to have a goal. 
if a child lives with honesty. . . . . . . .he learns what truth is. 
if a child lives with fairness. . . . . . . .he learns justice. 
if a child lives with security. . . . . . . .he learns to trust in himself and others .
if a child lives with friendliness. . . . . . . .he learns the world is a nice place in which to live.
~ dorothy louise law nolte, written in 1950s




my parents had a frame with this saying hanging in our home for all of my childhood. 
it lived on the main corridor wall that led to all the kids' bedrooms.
 i walked by it everyday and i remember reading it a couple of times, 
but i didn't appreciate it then. 


i guess i never forgot it because i came across it printed somewhere recently, 
i googled it that night so i could read it all again. 
i love it so much and understand why mom kept it up all those years. 


because the message is so powerful,
i am going to find a place in my home to display it too. 
not only will it connect me to my past, 
but it will be a constant reminder that the future of our little guys is in our hands. 


that how we we live every day and what we teach in our home shapes the adult they will become. 
i don't know about other parents out there, but i certainly appreciate a visual reminder.