Chores and later jobs outside the home taught responsibility and money management. They raked leaves and shoveled snow for people in the neighborhood; delivered newspapers as they got older, worked in restaurants, nursing homes, babysat other families.
My oldest son had these reflections: "Parental praise has had a lasting impact. I don't mean general statements like 'good job' or 'I'm proud of you.' Those mattered, of course, but I'm talking about thoughtful praise; hearing an observation about me, coupled with specific examples that showed how closely my parent was paying attention to who I was. Another kind of real praise was expressions of deep pride and delight over who I was as a person."
My youngest had this to say: "I remember being reprimanded when I didn't do something kind for a stranger and was taught a lesson; it was explained to me why it wasn't right to be mean or to steal something, etc. so I wouldn't do it again."
Of great significance was the love that surrounded the children. They knew they were loved, respected, treated with kindness and empathy. They learned to treat others the same.
These are the things that build character, coming straight from the children's mouths.
©2015 Elizabeth Bernier for SeniorWomen.com; Elizabeth Bernier's new email is ebernier6@cox.net
Pages: 1 · 2
More Articles
- Women's Congressional Policy Institute Weekly Legislative Update: Reproductive Health, Recruiting Families Using Data Act, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act
- Julia Sneden Wrote: Love Your Library
- Roberta McReynolds Writes: My Rainbow Has 64 Colors
- Jo Freeman Reviews Charlayne Hunter-Gault's My People: Five Decades of Writing About Black Lives
- The Stanford Center on Longevity: The New Map of Life
- Julia Sneden Wrote: Old Dogs, New Tricks
- How to Talk With Someone About COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: "There's so much tension that people don't want to risk a relationship"
- Did Teenage 'Tyrants' Outcompete Other Dinosaurs? "Dinosaur communities were like shopping malls on a Saturday afternoon jam-packed with teenagers"
- Julia Sneden: Lessons From a Lifetime in the Classroom: YOU AND I, ME, US, THEY, THEM, WHATEVER! (and “Mike and I’s wedding”)
- Julia Sneden: Niggly Things