Rules and Sayings You Don’t Forget

How many of us remember these simple rules that seem to pass on from generation to generation?

1.  Look both ways before crossing the street

2.  Walk, don’t run

3.  Don’t talk with food in your mouth

4.  Think before you talk

5.  Call if you’re going to be late

6.  Brush your teeth before going to bed

7.  Don’t slurp

8.  Don’t stare or point

9.  Write “thank you notes” after receiving gifts

10.  Speak clearly

Now these are certainly not in any order and I’m sure you can think of others to add to it.   But I find it funny now that I’m an adult how often I’ve said the same things.  I never thought I would talk like my parent’s did.  As a kid, I never wanted to hear my parent’s complaining about how I should do this or that.  Worst was when they would tell their friends about it.  Doesn’t a child have any privacy? 

Of course, you can look at the above and separate those dealing with safety issues to those concerning manners, hygiene, etc.  And then you can continue and make even more lists on your own.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.

My son is grown and married and I for one could say I’ve got the best son in the whole world!  But every time he leaves our house on his bike, I tell him to be careful and to look both ways.  I’ve also told him at times to make sure he calls to let me know he’s gotten home all right.  It may be by text-messaging these days but it’s still the same to me.

I guess some things never change.