Children and the Golden Rule
My children are helping out this morning and even showing their two year old brother how to do some of the chores. I would like to take all the credit and say it’s the amazing upbringing that I have been giving them these last ten years. The truth is, yesterday I was wondering who they were and why they wouldn’t listen to me.
To really keep me on my toes, my children behave in particularly good ways when I’m not present. I can’t tell you the number of times that I have had teachers tell me what a delight they are to have in class (especially when they are in SEPARATE classes).
Maybe their attitudes this morning has more to do with my attitude this morning than I realize. I haven’t yelled or ordered or threatened once (granted it’s only 40 minutes into the morning). The key could be as simple as having a positive, uplifting attitude in order to beget a positive, uplifting attitude.
Maybe they are listening to me because I am listening to them and taking time to do the things that are important to them (like looking at a moth on the porch).
My kids aren’t really all that different from me. I respond better when people are nice.  It makes it easier to do what I need to do when I know people will appreciate it and help me along the way.  Now, if I could just remember to treat others the way I want to be treated then the day should go just fine.
