THE BEATITUDES

Beatitudes For Parents

One man says he had a great speech for parents. It was called, "How to Raise Your Children." He went on speaking tours in the Midwestern United States and was paid a high honorarium for the talk. "This guy will wow you," people said.

Then they had their first child. His majestic speech lost its punch at 2:00 AM with the baby in full cry. But he kept trying. He renamed his new, modified speech "Some Suggestions for Parents" and charged bravely on.

They had two more children. The speech changed again. And again. Now it's called, "Feeble Hints for Fellow Strugglers" and he begins with the question: "Does anyone here have a few words of wisdom?"

Parents through the ages can identify. "Could someone, please, just give me the final answers to parenting?" we ask. "ALL of them? Could someone please tell me how to respond and what to do and what to say and when to say it and do it and tell me now?"

But, of course, we ask the impossible.

Maybe this will help. I have saved it for years, and I'm convinced it was written by one who has been there.... It is not the final answer to parenting, but cherish it as a dose of wisdom worth re-reading as often as possible.

Beatitudes For Parents by Marion E. Kinneman (1895-1985) - (used by permission).

• Blessed are those parents who make their peace with spilled milk and with mud, for of such is the kingdom of childhood.
  
  
• Blessed is the parent who engages not in the comparison of his child with others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his own growth.
  
  
• Blessed are the fathers and mothers who have learned laughter, for it is the music of the child's world.
  
  
• Blessed and wise are those parents who understand the goodness of time, for they make it not a sword that kills growth but a shield to protect.
  
  
• Blessed and mature are they who without anger can say "no," for comforting to the child is the security of firm decisions.
  
  
• Blessed is the gift of consistency, for it is heart's-ease in childhood.
  
  
• Blessed are they who accept the awkwardness of growth, for they are aware of the choice between marred furnishings and damaged personalities.
  
  
• Blessed are the teachable, for knowledge brings understanding, and understanding brings love.
  
  
• Blessed are the men and women who in the midst of the unpromising mundane, give love, for they bestow the greatest of all gifts to each other, to their children, and -- in an ever-widening circle -- to their fellow men.

Blessed are those who read these words... but more blessed will be they who follow them!