Inspired by the wisdom of the anonymous writer of last month’s “Twenty-one Memos From Your Child,” I decided to write some of my own. I leave it to you as to whether they reflect any additional wisdom of merit.

1.   Don’t praise me for everything I do.  I know I don’t always deserve it.

2.   Don’t get mad at me if I make mistakes.  I’m going to make a lot of them.

3.   Don’t yell at me or at the referee.  We’re both doing our best.

4.   Don’t expect me to be perfect.  I’m just me, trying to be my best.

5.   Don’t buy me everything I ask for.  I need to learn to look forward to and appreciate things.

6.   Don’t over schedule my life.  I need time to play, just to be a kid.

7.   Don’t brag about me in front of others.  I really don’t like the attention.

8.   Don’t make me late for school.  It’s embarrassing to be the last one to come into class, and it’s hard to catch up.

9.   Don’t be upset if I am not like you.  I love you, but I don’t know how to be anyone else but me.

10. Don’t hover over me.  You make me feel like I can’t do anything by myself.

11.  Don’t get angry if I don’t get all A’s. I am trying, but I am just not good in everything.

12. Don’t let me have a computer in my bedroom.  I waste a lot of time and I am tempted to get onto sites that I shouldn’t.

13. Don’t try to solve all of my problems.  I need to practice solving them by myself.

14. Don’t compare me to my older brother/sister.  Appreciate me for who I am.

15. Don’t forget that what I want most is your time.  There is no greater gift that you can give me.