21 Memo's From Your Child
- Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I'm only testing you.
- Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it; it makes me feel more secure.
- Don't let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.
- Don't make me feel smaller than I am. It only makes me behave "stupidly" big.
- Don't correct me in front of others if you can help it. I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.
- Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins; it upsets my set of values.
- Don't protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.
- Don't be too upset when I say things I don't mean; it isn't you I am lashing at, but your power to thwart me.
- Don't nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.
- Don't make rash promises. Remember that I feel badly let down when promises are broken.
- Don't forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like. That is why I'm not always very accurate.
- Don't tax my honesty too much. I am easily frightened into telling lies.
- Don't be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.
- Don't put me off when I ask questions. If you do, you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.
- Don't tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.
- Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too great a shock when I discover that you are neither.
- Don't ever think that it is beneath your dignity to apologise to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm toward you.
- Don't forget how quickly I am growing up. It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but please try.
- Don't forget that I love experimenting. I couldn't get on without it, so please put up with it.
- Don't forget that I can't thrive without lots of understanding love, but I don't need to tell you, do I?
