Children Learn What They Live

Good Me Bad me

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Children Learn what they live

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 ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns patience.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to 
find love in the world.

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Good Me Bad Me
My Self says, "Mom please love me",
But the words come out all wrong.
I whine and cry and cling to you
It's my "I need you" song.

I start by being well behaved
And you just turn you back,
But when I bring the "bad me" out
You give "bad me" a whack.

But maybe whacks are better
Than no touch , no touch at all,
So I'll just let the "bad me" out
And let "good me" stay small.

Author Unknown

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 What do these poems try to tell a parent? How do they make you feel?

 If you need us ... we are:
Committee on Family Violence
Transition House
thouse@nf.sympatico.ca

Questions/Comments about the site email to: Donna Leonard