Jan. 30, 2013 —
I was sitting in a physician’s waiting room when a young father came in with a boy about four years old.
The little boy wanted to wander around but quickly climbed onto a chair when his father said in a threatening tone:
“Get back up on this chair or I’ll have that nurse give you a shot.”
The dumb dad said it three or four more times with the same terrifying effect on the little boy.
I walked out rather than confront him about how wrong he was to create fear of something intended to protect us from disease.
I could imagine that family not having their children immunized against childhood diseases because the kids starting screaming when someone mentioned getting a shot.
That statement ranks up on top of the bonehead chart with those by parents who threaten their kids with being arrested whenever they spot a police officer in uniform.
Police officers have rescued untold numbers of lost kids, even kidnap victims, because those children learned at an early age that the police are our friends and here to protect us.
It seems that some folks never realize that being a parent is much more than the biological act of human reproduction.
Rather than dwell on the negatives of mothers and fathers who either are too ignorant or too arrogant to be good parents, I want to share 10 simple phrases parents and grandparents should use freely with their kids and grandkids.
I found this list on the web site of a youth minister in Texas named Trey Morgan. I don’t know if he wrote them but they are definitely worth sharing.
The comments following each phrase are my own.
I love you. Three simple words that always provide security and a sense of belonging.
I’m proud of you. This will be remembered long after the milkshake or pizza at the postgame party.
I’m glad you asked. The perfect way to start answering a tough question.
Thanks for checking in. Parents always breathe more easily after saying that into a phone.
I forgive you. Three words that show our love is unconditional.
Thank you. The best two-word response in any language.
Good job. Better than cash after an errand or household chore.
You can do it. We all need confidence boosters.
Don’t give up. Doing your best each time never goes out of style.
No matter what, I’m here for you. That pledge brings joy and comfort if you’re 13 or 33.
Wednesday's Post
Kids of all ages learn from what we say
- Wednesday's Post
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‘Where never lark or ever eagle flew’
The poem “High Flight” was written by a young American pilot, John Magee, flying for the Royal Canadian Air Force before the U.S. entered World War II.
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A night to remember…my first pie supper
She was the prettiest girl I had ever known. We were freshmen in high school and she asked me to be her boyfriend.
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Have you updated your bucket list?
This is the third time I’ve written about a personal “bucket list” and this time I’m suggesting that we review our lists annually.
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The ‘Greatest Generation’ earned the name
Men who shouldered a rifle now carry a cane. Men who drove trucks, landing craft and tanks now steer a two-wheeled walker.
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Vain as a peacock, cool as a cucumber
He was a bright, witty and dapper man who did his best to look as young as he could for as long as he could. His sense of humor and competitive spirit left indelible impressions on me.
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Flashbacks revive memories of a tragedy
I remember the day like it was yesterday – Dec. 15, 1967, a few minutes before 5 p.m. in Ironton, Ohio. As the local reporter for the morning newspaper in nearby Huntington, W.Va., I was making a routine check at the sheriff’s office of calls and complaints.
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The greatest singer sang the greatest song
Within 10 minutes, four of my children called, e-mailed or texted me that morning to express condolences on what they knew would be a personal loss.
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‘42’ more about fairness than baseball
One of the first major league baseball games I saw in person as a young boy was when my beloved Cincinnati Reds hosted the Brooklyn Dodgers at Crosley Field.
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Real sounds or not, ole Waite was the best
I was listening to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game on radio while driving home when I had a flashback to the 1950’s.
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Great food way ahead of its time
The first time I saw one it reminded me of a deflated football or a toy boat by its shape but seeing it was not nearly as memorable as eating one.
- More Wednesday's Post Headlines
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‘Where never lark or ever eagle flew’
