Children are a Product of the Parents

When we look at each other and our behaviors, one must remember we are a composite of not only our parents' DNA, but the neighborhoods reared in, the actions (or reactions) of the adults around us as children, the environment of our home (Was it peaceful? Was it violent? Was it abusive?) and the instructions given (whether it be in school or in the home).

When I read James Baldwin's quote, my first thought was, "How true." My second thought was, "...they have never failed to imitate them, could mean the good AND the bad." Remember this when you look at our current generation...and your OWN children.

I didn't appreciate it as a child, however I now realize the blessing in being reared in a home environment where:
-My parents didn't yell or argue with each other in my presence.
-There was no such thing as "back talk" or "talking back" to my parents. (Unless you wanted to be disciplined.)
-I got "whippins" and suffered no mental or emotional damage from it.
-I was privileged with the balance of a disciplinarian Father and a loving, affirming Mother.
-I was taught to say "Yes ma'am" and "No sir" out of respect, not subservience.
-I never had to think about the mortgage, gas, electricity or water bills. (A long time ago, I asked my Mother, "How come I didn't know about those bills?" Her answer, "You were a child. You didn't NEED to know. You just needed to be a child.")
-I was allowed to play jacks, kickball, badminton, hopscotch, Mary May I, Red Light/Green Light, jump rope, catch lightening bugs in a jar, climb the tree in the front yard, pick vegetables from the garden, plant flowers, ride my bike and have fun!
-I had to be in the house BEFORE the street lights came on.
-There were only 2 televisions and they didn't stay on all day.
-There were no chain smokers, no alcoholics.
-I went to church EVERY Sunday.
-I ate what I was given...PERIOD.
-We didn't eat a lot of processed food. The only processed food I can remember eating was cereal, candy, potato chips, and the occasional TV dinner (because they were a *new thing*).
-Sometimes my Mother let me eat breakfast foods for dinner and pizza for breakfast.
-I didn't know we were "poor" (by national standards). The word was never used in our home. As far as I knew, we were well off.
-My siblings and I had chores that were to be completed every day.
-I was taught to cook by watching my Mother use a gas stove, cast iron skillets, pots and pans. (Microwaves had not been created for domestic use, yet.)

I could go on and on. The experiences above helped me be the balanced, happily married, God-fearing adult I am today. What did you grow up with?