"Children Learn What they live"

I think my mom had a version of this poem hanging on a wall when I was growing up. I've done some digging, and found what I think is the original. It's a little different than how I remember it, but here goes--

Children Learn What They Live (1959)

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 pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself . . .
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy . . .
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 , he learns to be appreciative . . .
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love . . .
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 have faith in himself and those about him . . .
If a child lives with friendlienss(sic), he learns the world is a nice place in which to live . . .

WITH WHAT IS YOUR CHILD LIVING?

Dorothy L. Law

TORRANCE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

2335 Plaza del Amo

Torrence, California

And here's the source that I found with more--

http://www.noogenesis.com/pineapple/Kristone.html

combining topics - oh no!

Just to quickly get some of those things off my list, I'm going to combine topics. I know in the blogging world you aren't supposed to, but I'm not sure why I put all this stuff on my list to post about to begin with. So while the computers are being slow, I'll try to get some of them out of the way here.

3. To Write or Not to write? I posed this question in my writing class yesterday. Most of those in the class say if you can write, do it. Even though we all have a story, the world needs more stories. Others, if you read book reviews etc, will say there are too many people writing and publishing, too much JUNK is out there. It is easier than ever to get published, start a blog, etc. I'm still on the fence, but I guess I am still writing. Don't know if I am any good at it or not, or if I am improving, but I guess I am still practicing, for better or worse.

Skipping to #6... We are all fighting being sick right now. I was feeling better, then Abby came down with a sniffle, but it's just a sniffle. My husband isn't feeling well, but he's fighting it whatever it is. I'm starting to feel not great, but I'm last in the line as usual. Hopefully we can all keep fighting these annoyances and none of us will get really sick. We've got a few things planned in the coming weeks, I'd hate to have to cancel any of them.

7. Yes, I am behind on reading blogs. I'm sorry Arlene, and the others. I really do try. Just been busy.

5. blah, blah, blah... yeup. Busy. Busy with work, busy with the kid, busy with... not sleeping, just busy.

9. Not going to say much about library or work I suppose. Not sure why I put that here to begin with. Changes are coming, and coming soon. Not sure how they will morph yet and I'm a little nervous but I hope to survive it all, somehow. Job isn't going to be like it was though, and I'm not sure if I'm going to like it as much, but we'll see. Maybe it will get better instead of worse. Just have to hang in there and see I guess.

Guess that almost covers it. I have one more thing on that 10 point list, #4, and that will be a separate post. Just have to dig out the poem that I'm thinking of. I'm sure I can find it on the internet somewhere.

If you got this far, thanks for putting up with me and all my ramblings.

Welcome Facebook Friends!

Skipping to #8 on my list, I have recently discovered the fun and diversions of Facebook. Reconnecting with people who I haven't spoken to since high school (in some cases since Freshman or sophomore year), old friends who have moved away in the last few years, and former coworkers and many others has been lots of fun. Playing games, doing quizzes, and just generally wasting time have been a lot of fun. Who knows? Maybe some good will come of all this, and someone will get a better job, or find a long-lost pal, or something...

Anyway, if you are here because you saw the link on FB, then thanks for checking in.

Skipping to #10, my AW for Abby

Abby did 2 wonderful things recently. First of all on Thursday we went to the local public library after school/work. We've been there a few times before, but this time Abby walked in, saw the computer (desktop) and said "I know how to use this! I use this at school." She sat down, put her hand on the mouse, and found a program to use. She found some kid's thing and happily clicked away for a long time. My husband and I helped her a little when she got stuck, but she did it mostly herself. Yay Abby! Using a computer already. Can you tell her dad's a computer geek? We only have laptops and netbook stuff at home so she really hasn't seen a desktop computer much except at school etc.

I was really happy about that, and then on Sunday she did something equally great. You might have to know Abby to appreciate this, but Abby pet a dog. Yes, that's right folks, Abby touched a dog and was happy about it. She and her daddy were in downtown Northampton on Sunday walking around, and she saw a cute little white dog. She liked it immediately. Then we saw it again, and she said "Please mommy, please daddy, can I ask the doggy's mommy if I can pet it?" Of course everyone said yes and she very gently pet its back and then ran back to daddy. Then she did it a couple of more times. She finally got shy when some other people got near us on the sidewalk. Way to go Abby! Overcoming her fear of animals. (For those who don't know, Abby had some close encounters with dogs when she was a baby that have made her fearful of them. Plus we often have unrestrained dogs in our neighborhood that try to come into our yard and our driveway, or harass us when we go for walks.)