What a wonderful week this has been, thus far! The kidlets, husband, and I got to go out for a walk this afternoon (finally!), and the curtain of snow that has been blocking my windows at work is finally beginning to melt. Slowly, to be sure, but we got to have more sunshine coming in today than we have had all week. I sure have missed it!
This article popped up on my Facebook news feed, shared by at least three friends..... What Really Happens When You Use the R-Word. It gives a great look at how the use of a specific word as a negative and demeaning insult truly diminishes whole groups of people who, as the article states, just don't have the necessary skills to be able to defend themselves against the attack.
Reading this got me thinking about how the things we say, and the ways we say them, truly affect others in our lives as well as people we have never met.
Looking at the power of our words over others, and especially children, from a this perspective, we truly need to use caution when we are talking to our children. We need to preview their media- from books and magazines, to television and video games. Children need to be taught how to use their words nicely. They aren't born knowing how to build someone up or tear them down with what they say- they are taught by the examples that are in front of them daily.
I have no idea where this particular poem originated, and I would love to be able to give the author credit. My mom found a copy of it in the newspaper (I think), and cut it out and kept it on the refrigerator for the longest time:
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
This truly sums up why we need to make sure that our children are hearing and learning the best they can from us- their parents and families and friends and caregivers.... Everything they need to learn to be able to be the best they can be starts with us.
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