My daughter Kirsten, posted a memory on my facebook page a while back. It warmed my heart that she shared a memory that was so precious to her. When we raise children we should nurture, teach them, love them and most of all we should create great memories. It really does make a difference in their lives.
Patrice Tankard
(Photo: Kay, College Graduate, Entrepreneur, Songwriter, Music Producer, Free Spirit) Photo Credit: Paper Flower Photography
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:5 (KJV)
If you are a parent, be encouraged to stand up and actually be a parent. Love and nurture your children. Teach them right from wrong. Help develop their character and teach them to read and think critically. Teach them how to treat others with respect. Teach them how to protect their values and morals regardless of what others think. Teach them that life gets hard and they must depend on their creator to help them. Teach them to love and honor God and to serve others. Teach them to be strong in a world where there is so much uncertainty and challenges.
Patrice Tankard
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.” Proverbs 22:24,25
There is an old saying that says, “Birds of a feather flock together”. My grandmother used to say that to us when we would discuss friendships. She also would say this one: “Show me your company and I’ll show you who you are.” She was trying to tell us that we could be judged and our reputations could possibly be defined by who our friends are. My own parents would sit down and explain the importance of choosing our friends wisely. But the most intriguing family conversations were the ones that involved choosing friends who had unfavorable characteristics. For some reason it seemed that some of the coolest kids at school were the bad kids. However, I quickly learned that there is a price to pay for choosing the wrong type of friends. Their unfavorable characteristics sometimes “rubbed off” and it seemed that trouble followed us everywhere. Some of the bad kids were hot-tempered and that led to even more trouble and difficulty. It didn’t take me long to figure out that being with them was not in my best interest. I got out and got out fast!Pay attention to the characteristics of ones that you spend time with. Spend time with people who will bring joy and encouragement to your life and not ways of destruction. You deserve the very best in this life and you should have and enjoy friends who “celebrate” you and not just “tolerate” you. Be aware of the company that you keep. #ParentsTalkToYourKids
From the Desk of Patrice Tankard