If children live with criticism,
They learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility,
They learn to fight.

If children live with ridicule,
They learn to be shy.

If children live with shame,
They learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement,
They learn confidence.

If children live with tolerance,
They learn to be patient.

If children live with praise,
They learn to appreciate.

If children live with acceptance,
They learn to love.

If children live with approval,
They learn to like themselves.

If children live with honesty,
They learn truthfulness.

If children live with security,
They learn to have faith in themselves and others.

If children live with friendliness,
They learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972/1975 by Dorothy Law Nolte

Two things to take away from this:

1. The first is to remember to have compassion for children with poor role models when they are simply copying the behaviours that have been shown to them.  Copying those behaviours is what they are hard-wired to do.
2. The second empowering truth is that WE are also role models for these children.  We can show them a different way to lead, to respond, to interact with those around us, and to be successful.