Twenty-Four Golden Rules for Raising Children
Feb 23, 2019 10:49:07 GMT
Post by Admin on Feb 23, 2019 10:49:07 GMT
The Angelus - May 1985
We take the following, with grateful acknowledgement, from the February 1985 issue of Mitteilungsblatt der Priesterbruderschaft St. Pius X., the German counterpart of The Angelus. Besides providing some handy hints for raising a family, this list of guidelines shows that Europeans seem to have many of the same problems as Americans in this area!
Twenty-Four Golden Rules for Raising Children
We take the following, with grateful acknowledgement, from the February 1985 issue of Mitteilungsblatt der Priesterbruderschaft St. Pius X., the German counterpart of The Angelus. Besides providing some handy hints for raising a family, this list of guidelines shows that Europeans seem to have many of the same problems as Americans in this area!
1. Be a good example to your child.
2. Show your affection for your child in both words and deeds. It will do even a twelve-year-old good for you to put your arms around him once in a while (though not necessarily in the presence of others).
3. Answer with patience and preciseness the many questions your child will ask.
4. Never humiliate your child in front of others.
5. Never argue with your spouse in front of the child.
6. Never criticize acquaintances, relatives or teachers in the child's presence.
7. Have a good reason for your rules and regulations.
8. Always give your children the opportunity to talk with you about their joys and problems, their wishes and plans. Never make the excuse that you are too tired or too busy to listen.
9. Remember that your children have needs besides the material ones, i.e., food and clothing. Make your home a cheerful place where people show respect and love for one another. In the security of a close-knit family they will have a healthy environment for growth.
10. Your children's playmates and schoolmates should always be welcome in your home. Never complain about the noise that often goes along with such visits.
11. Make sure you know how, where and with whom your children spend their free time.
12. Suggest to your children that they take some of their allowance and give it to a missionary or other charity, or use it for small gifts to parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters or friends.
13. Do not fall victim to the mistake of believing that love makes discipline unnecessary.
14. Make your system of discipline logical and reasonable.
15. Be consistent. Explain clearly to the children what you expect of them, then see to it they keep the rules.
16. Try to put yourself in your child's place, so as to understand the motives for his behavior and to be able to react correctly.
17. Never nag!
18. Parents should work as a team. Only when the two of you are in harmony can you bring children up successfully. Never undermine your spouse's authority, e.g., allow the children to do things "behind his (her) back" or permit something that was previously forbidden.
19. Never try to give your child the impression that you are infallible. When you make a mistake, admit it and say you are sorry'.
20. Do not scream at your children!
21. Test your system of discipline. Punishment should be a help to a child and not serve as an escape valve for your own frustrations. Punishment must not be the expression of hostility but rather the expression of a corrective love.
22. Teach your child to get used to doing without some things.
23. Wise parents know that a child needs recognition. Do not neglect to praise him when he deserves it.
24. If your children see, every day, that you yourself acknowledge the authority of the living God and try to follow the teachings of His Church, they will accept your authority more easily.
St. Therese and her family