my mom taught me how to be nice!

United States
June 28, 2009 12:07am CST
I recently gained two "step kids" They aren't really step kids, because I'm not married to their father, but we do own a house together. We (he) just got custody of them and they moved in with us 3 weeks ago. I have seen them every weekend for the past year. Anyway. About a month ago they came to me with a question. They were wondering how I learned to be so nice! I thought that was hilarious because I'm probably the worst person around kids I know, and the mom thing is REALLY hard for me. I assumed they hated me, but I guess they don't; turns out they think I'm the nicest person around. I thought about it for a while and said "well, my mom taught me". After I explained to them the rules my mom expected me to live me, I got to thinking "why don't more people follow these basic guidelines? they, and everyone around them would be so much happier!" Here are the rules I told my girls, just thought I'd share with you guys in case any of you have found yourselves feeling extra stressed, or in a bad mood lately! *If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. *Do unto others as you would have do unto yourself *Don't take things that don't belong to you *Two wrongs don't make a right That's all! Easy, huh?! Crazy how the simple rules we learn as children slip our minds as we reach adulthood. But just imagine if we all lived by those "golden rules" No more idle gossip at work about people you have to work with every day, but really barely know. No silly stupid arguments with your friends over petty issues. No having to feel burdened with ideas of revenge, lust, envy, etc. It really is as simple as those few rules! Well, I hope this helps someone put some issue in their life into perspective!
1 response
lynnemg
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
28 Jun 09
It sounds like your Mom taught you well. Those are the same rules that I grew up with and am also raising my kids with. I have often been told that I am really nice, and so have my kids. I hope that when they grow up, they realize exactly how important those simple rules are. By the way, you are obviously doing someting right with those kids if they not only recognize that you are a good person, but are also able to say that to you. Don't woory too much, sometimes change is just a little difficult for a kid, in time, they will adjust well and then, you will realize that they don't look at you as if you are the wicked step-mother. I think that if everyone lived by those rules, as we all should, the word would be such a better place.