Children Learn What They Live

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 fear.

If children live with jealousy, they learn what envy is.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.

If children live with encouragement, they learn to be confident.

If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.

If children live with acceptance, they learn to find love in the world.

If children live with recognition, they learn to have a goal.

If children live with sharing, they learn to be generous.

If children live with honesty and fairness, they learn what truth and justice are.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and those around them.

If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

If children live with serenity, they learn to have peace of mind.

I cut this out of a newspaper 25 years ago when my daughter was born.  It has been stuck on to my fridge with a magnet, for all those years, reminding me of the joy I have experienced in being a parent.

It doesn’t give the name of the author unfortunately, but if you know it’s origins I would love to be told.

A Friendly Follower on Twitter Reports that the Author is Dorothy Law Nolte.

Someone called @TouchedbyS contacted me through Twitter to advise me that the poem was written by Dorothy Law Nolte and I am very grateful indeed.