The Everyday and Children Learn What They Live

Today started off with a bang.  I got the idea in my head to walk to school... the girls and I have walked home several times and always talked about it and because Monday is their last day, I thought today was as good as any.  But that meant getting everyone out the door and ready for the almost two mile walk to school.  We did it!  And the girls were on time!  We had to jog a little and poor Sam stayed back because he wasn't in the mood to walk the whole way, but in the end it all worked out.  The walk is beautiful and very peaceful and I loved sharing it with the kids.

Otherwise today was an errand day, a tv and play outside day, a pizza for dinner day and a settling day.  Six kids with six different personalities and six different set of emotions and personalities makes for a very colorful house... and led me to read the kids this poem...

Children Learn What They LiveBy Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.