Children

Children have never been too good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. ~Anon

A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favourite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of waht we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked at you and wanted to say,” Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

There are two ways of spreading light: to be a candle or the mirror that reflects it. ~ Edith Wharton

Children have the right…

• to affection, love and understanding
• to adequate nutrition and medical care
• to free education
• to full opportunity for play and recreation
• to a name and a nationality
• to special care if handicapped
• to be among the first to receive relief in times of disaster
• to learn to be a useful member of society and to develop individual abilities
• to be brought up in a spirit of peace and universal brotherhood
• to enjoy these rights, regardless of race, colour, sex, religion, national or social origin

UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child

There are two things that Children wear out — their clothes and their parents.