Great Advice

What’s the best parenting advice you’ve ever given – or received?

When Theodore Roosevelt was a young boy he asked his father for counsel on charting a career. Here is how he remembered the incident:

He gave me a piece of advice that I have always remembered, namely, that, if I was not going to earn (much) money, I must even things up by not spending it. As he expressed it, I had to keep the fraction constant, and if I was not able to increase the numerator, then I must reduce the denominator.

Spending less than you earn is wise advice, indeed, and timeless, too.

I recently asked several of my colleagues here at Focus for their best dose of homespun parenting counsel. It should be a given that we’re to introduce our children to the Lord and disciple them throughout their childhood and beyond. I was mainly asking them for some very practical nuggets of wisdom. Here is what they told me they regularly tell their children:

• It’s never as good as you hear or as bad as you feel.

• Learn to remember names.

• Do what you love.

• Remember that your best friend is the one who brings out the best that’s in you.

• Stay strong. Keep a stiff upper lip. Keep your shoulders back.

• Keep your heart free of hate. Keep your mind free from worry.

• Live simply, expect little, give much.

• Plan your work and work your plan. If you fail to plan, then plan to fail.

• Fill your mind full of God.

• A bad excuse is worse than none.

• Become a member of the DIN DIN club: Whatever you need to get done, do it now, do it now!

• Learn how to be a comfortable person to be around – like an old shoe.

• Do not carry the day into the night.

• Choose well, make good choices and remember all choices have consequences.

• Take a real interest in the organization that employs you.

• It’s never about you but others.

• Remember you have to make it a great day.  Don’t assume that it will happen on its own.

As we head into the weekend (don’t forget to spring ahead!), I’d encourage you to embrace the words of Isaiah to “lift up thine eyes” and consider the wonder and majesty of the Almighty.

In the meantime, I’d welcome you to share your own nuggets of wisdom with me and others in this space.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, faith, family March 11, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura