A MEMO FROM A CHILD...

* Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all that 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 other people if you can help it. I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly to me in private.
* Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins. It upsets my sense of values.
* Don't protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.
* Don't be too upset when I say, "I hate you." It isn't you I hate but your power to thwart me.
* Don't nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by ignoring you.
* Don't take too much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they get me the attention I need.
* 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 accurate.
* Don't tax my honesty too much. I am easily frightened into telling lies.
* 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 be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me lose my faith in you.
* Don't tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real and you do much to reassure me if you try to understand.
* Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infailable. 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 apologize to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm to you.
* Don't forget I love experimenting. I can't get on without it; so please put up with it.
* Don't forget how quickly I'm growing up. It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but please try.
* Don't forget that I can't thrive without lots of understanding love... but I don't need to tell you, Do I?
* Treat me the way you do your freinds, then I will be your freind too. Remember, I learn more from a MODEL than a critic.
And always remember, I LOVE YOU

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