8 two

Raising a child into this modern world is perplexing. The needs are no longer simple. The values they will be exposed to are very materialistic. There is progress and yet there's decay. 

Now they just tell you to be happy. To do what makes you happy. Isn't that scary? How about some advocacy that will strengthen the adversity quotient? 

A person who seeks his own happiness must at first learn the value of commitment, resilience, devotion, discipline. 

I hope that we protect every child from the notion of entitlement without responsibiliy, of gratification without the wait, of health over vice.., by first showing them how. 

Draw a line

Decency will tell us if we are true to what we believe in or not. Decency will teach us to own up to mistakes. Decency says that we don't even think that others are below us. Decency knows that we are not perfect but blame no one if we are not. 

Decency allows us to discern carefully our situation and not to be quick to engage in  self preserving acts and instant gratification. 

Otherwise, we lose our bearing. 

Raising a bright and exciting child

Paula Capanas was a HEDCen Student and a happiness guru

Pls dont buy your kids i phones, i pads and the like. Not yet.

Please get them things they can build. 

Please make them watch the rain too. 

Pls make them sweat chasing each other   

Please teach them to listen to adults and abide by rules fir their safety. 

Please make things for them. 

Please tell them stories from your own experiences. 

Please teach them how to smile  

And show them how to take care of fragile and delicate things

And eat vegetables

And wash their feet...
wash their hands

and gargle in the morning...

I wonder what they'd say

Lucy

Creating memories with my granddaughters include our adventures with flowers, butterflies, lizards, birds, grass or trees, sounds around them, colors, textures, shapes, taste and scents. 

This I hope will create a lasting bond between my granddaughters and me long after they are parents themselves. 

Sofia

I hope they'd say that they had a crazy and wild woman as their Ima. 

Ziva

that their Ima was cool and that she rocked. 

Robin

I would not really know what they'd say in my eulogy but I am sure they will take care of their children the way they were raised. 

And that they will all be gorgeous like me.