Teach Your Children Well

I was on my morning walk when I saw a mother walking her two kids. One was in the pram and the other was walking beside her. I could not help but listen to her conversation with her young son. She was telling him about the importance of listening to her and his dad. She said that whatever they say or do is because they love him very much. The boy looked up at her and said he loved her too. That was really lovely.

Mum and I exchanged a smile as I passed her.

We really need to spend time talking to our kids. With today's world of computers and television, talking has taken a back seat. Bring it back. Have conversations with your children. They need to hear the authority of their parents again as much as they need to hear the love.

We want to be friends with our kids. But we need to fist be parents. We want to give them choices. But they must first learn to be accountable for their choices and actions. We Love them and want to protect them. But they must first know that you love them and that sometimes love has to be "tough". It is not always giving them what they want. It is about giving them what they need.

My mind goes to the long ago song by Nash & Young - The Cat's In The Cradle.

Let me share the lyrics:

My child arrived just the other day

He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew
He said, "I’m gonna be like you, Dad,
You know I’m gonna be like you"

My son turned ten just the other day
He said "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play
can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do" He said "Thats okay"
And then he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said "I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m going to be like him"

Well he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say,
"Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head, and he said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

I’ve long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day.
I said "I'd like to see you if you don’t mind"
He said "I'd love to Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.
But It's sure nice talking to you, Dad,
It's been sure nice talking to you."
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me,
My boy was just like me.

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you coming home, Son?

I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, Dad
We're gonna have a good time then.

Have a lovely weekend with the kids.