Some time ago, a friend of mine punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found that the box was empty.

He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside of it?" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy it's not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged her forgiveness. My friend told me that he kept that gold box by his bed for years. Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

The "Dear Teddy" always brings a tear to my eyes.

When I first came across the "Dear Teddy" poem I could not hold back the tears.Many was the night when I held My Teddy so close and his little face became tear stained with my tears. My Teddy was my very best friend.

Teddy, I've been bad again, My Mommy told me so.

I'm not quite sure what I did wrong, but I thought that you might know.

When I woke up this morning, I knew that she was mad.

Cause she was crying awful hard, and yelling at my dad.

I tried my best to be real good, And do just what she said.

I cleaned my room all by myself, I even made my bed.

But I spilled my milk on my good shirt, When she yelled at me to hurry.

And I guess she didn't hear me, When I told her I was sorry.

Cause she hit me awful hard, you see, And called me funny names.

And she told me I was really bad, And I should be ashamed!

When I said, "I love you Mommy," I guess she didn't understand;

Cause she yelled at me to shut my mouth, Or I'd get smacked again.

So I came up here to talk to you, Please tell me what to do;

Cause I really love my Mommy, And I know she loves me, too.

And I don't think my Mommy means, To hit me quite so hard;

I guess sometimes, grown ups forget, How really big they are!

So Teddy, I wish you were real, And you weren't just a bear;

Then you could help me find a way, To tell Mommies everywhere.

To please try hard to understand, How sad is makes us feel;

Cause the outside pain soon goes away, But the inside never heals!

And if we could make them listen, Maybe then they'd understand;

So other children just like me, Wouldn't have to hurt again.

But for now, I guess I'll hold you tight, And pretend the pain's not there'

I know you'd never hurt me, So Goodnight, Teddy Bear!

"The Children Learn What They Live" is very special to me.I found it years ago and I tried to always remember this when raising our children.

If a child lives with criticism,He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule,He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame,He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance,He learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement,He learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise,He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness,He learns justice.

If a child lives with security,He learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval,He learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,He learns to find love in the world.