The ABC's of Child Raising

This was posted in an Ann Lander's column a long time ago and recently found in my things.

A is for Accountability
Hold your child accountable for thier actions .

B is for Boundaries
Set specific limits, make clear the repercussions if those limits are exceeded.

C is for Consistancy
Hold the same principals and practices .

D is for Discipline
Make the punishment fit the crime, Never discipline in anger.

E is for Example
Children are in greater need of models than critics. Set a good example.

F is for Forgiveness
Practice it and teach the importance of forgiving.

G is for Giving
Teach the Joy of giving, not only to family and friends but to strangers in need.

H is for Sense of Humor
Keep your sense of humor, promote laughter with your children.

I is for Imagination
Be creative and play with your children, make up stories or songs when you read and sing to them.

J is for Justice
Be fair and insist they be fair too.

K is for Knowing
Your children's friends and their parents as well as their teachers.

L is for Listening
Listen to your children, it will teach them how to listen to others
and their thoughts will give you insight.

M is for Morals
Be sure your own standard of conduct is sound.

N is for No
Use it and mean it.

O is for Outdoors
Provide as much outdoor activity as possible.

P is for pressure
Reduce the pressure on your children, but insist they maintain high standards.

Q is for Questions
Pay close attention to their questions and give simple answers unless they demand more.

R is for Respect
Show respect, teach respect and earn respect.

S is for Source of Strength
Share your own faith or beliefs with your children. Faith can be their port in the storms of life.

T is for Togetherness
Have special designated times to be together as a family but know when to let go too.
U is for Uniqueness
Understand the uniqueness of each child and let that child be who she or he is.

V is for Voice
Tone of voice can convey more to a child than the words spoken.

W is for Words
Keep your word, Promises broken can destroy trust.

X is for eXamine
Examine constantly and be aware.

Y is for You
Take care of yourself mentally, physically and spiritually, A happy parent helps a child to be happy.

Z is for Zowie!
Would you have thought they could grow up so quickly?

Love and Honesty are not included because they are assumed to be already in place.