Memo of a Child

1. Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I'm only testing you.
2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it. It makes me feel more secure.
3. Don't let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.
4. Don't make me feel smaller than I am. It only makes me behave stupidly big.
5. Don't correct me in front of others if you can help it. I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.
6. Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins. It upsets my sense of value.
7. Don't protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.
8. Don't be too upset when I hate you! It isn't you that I hate, but the power to thwart me
9. Don't make to much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they get me the attention I need.
10. Don't nag me. If you do, I shall protect my self by appearing deaf.
11. Don't make me rash promises. Remember I feel badly let down when promises are broken.
12. Don't forget that I can not explain my self as well as I should like to. That's why I am not always accurate.
13. Don't tax my amnesty too much. I am easily frightened into telling lies.
14. Don't be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and make me lose faith in you.
15. Don't put me off when I ask questions. If you do, you will find that I will stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.
16. Don't tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.
17. Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too great a shock when I discover that your are neither.
18. Don't ever think that it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm toward you.
19. Don't forget how quickly I am growing up. It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but try please.
20. Don't forget that I love experimenting... I couldn't get on without it, so please put up with it.
21. Don't forget that I can thrive not without lots of love, understanding, from you! But this I don't have to mention, do i!