Dorothy Louise Law isn't a name you may be familiar with...but her most famous poem probably is. Back in 1954, Law had her poem published in the Torrance Herald when she was just 30 years old. Since then Law's poem has been published and re-published...along with various revised versions credited to additional authors. The most recent "revised" version of Law's poem I found was published in 2005 and credited to Duen Hsi Yen. In my own humble opinion, this poem (regardless of the version you prefer!) should be framed and hung in every household across this planet. Law's poem is a reminder of how our "adult" lives so influence what children learn from us...
Children Learn What They Live (1959)
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn....
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight...
If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive...
If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself...
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy...
If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilt...
BUT
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.
If a child lives with honesty, he learns what the truth is.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and those around him.
If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.
With what is your child living?
Mary DiPaolo's 2012 version of "Children Learn What They Live"
If a child lives with neglect, she learns she doesn't matter.
If a child lives with inconsistency, he learns confusion.
If a child lives with addiction, she learns instant gratification.
If a child lives with violence, he learns to feel terror.
If a child lives with hypocrisy, she learns that the truth is relative
If a child lives with powerlessness, he learns to feel helpless.
If a child lives with ridicule, she learns to live in shame.
If a child lives with unpredictability, he learns nothing is certain.
BUT
If a child lives with nuturing, she learns to feel worthy.
If a child lives with serenity, he learns to feel peace.
If a child lives with honesty, she learns to feel justice.
If a child lives with sharing, he learns to be generous.
If a child lives with understanding, she learns to feel encouraged.
If a child lives with laughter, he learns to feel happy.
If a child lives with acceptance, she learns to feel grace.
If a child lives with love, she learns to feel trust.
With what are YOU living?
Children Learn What They Live (1959)
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn....
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight...
If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive...
If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself...
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy...
If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilt...
BUT
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.
If a child lives with honesty, he learns what the truth is.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and those around him.
If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.
With what is your child living?
Mary DiPaolo's 2012 version of "Children Learn What They Live"
If a child lives with neglect, she learns she doesn't matter.
If a child lives with inconsistency, he learns confusion.
If a child lives with addiction, she learns instant gratification.
If a child lives with violence, he learns to feel terror.
If a child lives with hypocrisy, she learns that the truth is relative
If a child lives with powerlessness, he learns to feel helpless.
If a child lives with ridicule, she learns to live in shame.
If a child lives with unpredictability, he learns nothing is certain.
BUT
If a child lives with nuturing, she learns to feel worthy.
If a child lives with serenity, he learns to feel peace.
If a child lives with honesty, she learns to feel justice.
If a child lives with sharing, he learns to be generous.
If a child lives with understanding, she learns to feel encouraged.
If a child lives with laughter, he learns to feel happy.
If a child lives with acceptance, she learns to feel grace.
If a child lives with love, she learns to feel trust.
With what are YOU living?