I found this on www.rosemond.com/?p=1168 and thought it insightful, so I am sharing it here for your consideration. I did check to see whether there was any copyright restrictions but did not see any on this page so I am assuming it is OK to post it here.
Here goes:
1. Because it is the most character-building, two-letter word in the English language, children have the right to hear their parents say No at least three times a day.
2. Children have the right to find out early in their lives that their parents dont exist to make them happy, but to offer them the opportunity to learn the skills they will need to eventually make themselves happy.
3.Children have a right to scream all they want over the decisions their parents make, albeit their parents have the right to confine said screaming to certain areas of their homes.
4. Children have the right to find out early that their parents care deeply for them but dont give a hoot what their children think about them at any given moment in time.
5.Because it is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, children have the right to hear their parents say Because I said so on a regular and frequent basis.
6. Because it is the most character-building activity a child can engage in, children have the right to share significantly in the doing of household chores.
7.Every child has the right to discover early in life that he isnt the center of the universe (or his family or his parents lives), that he isnt a big fish in a small pond, and that he isnt the Second Coming, so as to prevent him from becoming an insufferable brat.
8. Children have the right to learn to be grateful for what they receive, therefore, they have the right to receive all of what they truly need and very little of what they simply want.
9. Children have the right to learn early in their lives that obedience to legitimate authority is not optional, that there are consequences for disobedience, and that said consequences are memorable and, therefore, persuasive.
10. Every child has the right to parents who love him/her enough to make sure he/she enjoys all of the above rights.
As I reflect on the principles delineated here I see a marked parallel between it and how God deals with us - HIS children.
Sure wish we would have access to this when our children were little...my generation was contaminated with Dr. Spock's philosophy on raising children - too many folks 'Christianized' it to make it palatable for Christian parents. SIGH
I must add this: when I taught VBS this summer, I took the stance as outlined above in regards to behaviours I will accept from my students. And I must say we had a very orderly class. Too many teachers have allowed the children to set the pace for them...
Anyhow, God bless..
ginnyrose
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Sandra Miller
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