"Give birth to them and noursih them,
But do not possess them.
Help them know that they are
not dependent on you.
Guide them but do not control
them,
This is the most profound virtue.
On Sagehood and Cultivating
Life
Tao-te Ching
I'm thinking about having the
above framed and hung in the foyer of our new home. Of all the parenting books I have
read, and all the advice I have gotten over the last two and half years I believe the
above words of wisdom is the best advice on how to parent a child. My wish is that other
parents parented their children with this in mind. I think we would have less abuse, and
probably more confident young people today.
I went to the park again this
morning with Elizabeth and our next door neighbors, Mrs. Beater and her two children. I've
been trying to really reach out to my neighbor who I believe has poor parenting and coping
skills as a parent. Not only does she hit the three year old but the fifteen month old on
a regular daily basis. She and her husband also use religion to try and control and
manipulate their behavior. She has called me several times in the last eight weeks to help
her out because she can not "control" her children and they are geting on her
last nerve. I often feel sorry for the children and wish that this mother would get over
herself and open her mind to other styles of parenting.
Today at the park she barely
spoke to me though. Not even small talk or conversations about the children. I think she
is upset because I flat out told her the other day I do not believe in a judeo-christian
god. She flipped out and started lecturing me. Since then she has become distant and
barely speaks unless she wants or needs something from me. :::sigh:::
*****************************
I'm not having much luck with
any of my neighbors. The Cool neighbors and our family were getting together tonight to go
to the Greek Festival. I had never been and was really excited to go. They are a really
fun couple and Jeff and I were looking forward to getting to spend some time with them.
Evidently something happened, they ahd a huge argument, we didn't go. |