Raising Damon

Raising Damon

I taught my grandson, Damon, now age 6 (almost 7 years of age)
these things and many more. 

contrasts. opposites, similarities
Side to side
up/down
on/off
hot/cold 
patience/impatience
privilege/right

straight/crooked
back and forth
push it forward/pull it back

Slow down. Allow time for things.
Do things at the proper speed.
Wait. Have patience.

You don't get everything you want immediately/right now.

Sit still when you eat.

Eat food on your own plate. Do not grab anything off of another's plate

Keep your plate close to you when you eat so you don't
drop food all over the table, the floor or yourself

Do not eat or drink and share food and utensils, cups, plates
with other people or animals

Wash your hands. Wash before eating. 
Wash after using the restroom. Wash hands before 
preparing food.

Put things back where they belong.

Use your own cup to rinse your mouth when brushing your teeth.

Be respectful and quiet when another one is sleeping

Clean up after yourself

Throw trash away

Keep things nice, clean, neat, straight and orderly

Mind your manners. Be polite at all times.

You are not the only person in this world.

You are important but not the center of attention/attraction
at all times.  Others exist and are just as important as you are.

Everyone and everything is special in its own way.

There is no such thing as the best. All things are necessary.
Not one is better than the other.

Do the right thing even when no one is looking

Try to do a thing yourself first. I will help you
after you try and ask me for help
Ask for help when I realize I can't do it myself

Take care of things regardless of how much money they cost.
Free stuff can be very valuable.


Watch out for cars coming

Watch out for animals like dogs 


Pay attention to what you are doing

Be aware of your environment

Be aware of your body and what you are doing

Be careful about what you say

Be quiet sometimes. I can't think when you are
talking all of the time.

Relax. Be still. Meditate.

Listen: What's that sound? 
listen to one person at a time
be quiet when others are talking
be quiet when a person is on the telephone/cell phone

Watch. See that. What is that?

Taste. Taste this food.

Smell. What's that smell?

Feel. Hugs are a wonderful feeling.  
Kisses on the cheek, face and forehead are nice.

Be nice not naughty.

Bad behavior: Screaming, yelling, throwing things, 
breaking stuff, pushing others, are bad behaviors and
result in not getting your way

Enjoy the weather. Dance in the rain.
Dance to the music. Love the sunshine, the warmth
and beauty of nature. 

Be happy. Be happy to see others be happy.

Enjoy life. 

Ask questions. Always. Be your natural curious self.

"There is an invisible pipeline between grandma and me",
you said many times. "Grandma seems to know what I need"

Being resourceful is very important.

You can't buy everything with money.

When you were a baby you said this,

asking me a question about everything:

Aye ya oh, IYaO, I yah oh means "What's that?" "What is that?"

8 months old

"dirt" on the floor one little dirt spot in the middle bedroom

close to the hallway at stark ave house

"corner" of the wall

I said look at the moon and you said "eggie"

because the moon looks like an egg and mommy puts an "e" on the end of words

I don't put anything at the end of words. I say them as they are
meant to be said, exactly as they are to be pronounced.