Pryor Scrapbook Clippings, 1955-1980

• • DEAR ABBr: Many yeai~ ~b you' ran "A.Parent's "' Prayer." My wife and I kept it ·· and referred to 1t often. Our children are now gro~1i, and thanks to the Lord they • have never been any real troilb~- f<Tt'""tts. Perhaps running that prayer again would be helpful to some of the younger parents among your readers.· BILL B., BURBANK, CALIF. DEAR BILL: With pleasure. It was written by 1 Garry C. Myers, founder of "Highlights for Chil– dren," a f"me, wholesowe and educatjon•d monthly magazine ~•t: ~~ ..h.yrhly .~ecommend. . . , . "Oh heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Q.elp me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from inter- rupting them, talking back to them and- contra- , dieting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Give me the courage to confess my sins against my children and ask them forgiveneH, when I kno'Y that I have done wrong. "May I not vainly h~·the ·i'e'elings of my chil– dren. Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame.and r1 ·· •i~le as punishme~t- Let, r Pictured at right~· me not tempt a child to , ie and steal. So guide me I Mr and Mn E H hour by hour that l ma demonstrate by all I ·say . · · · · and do that hone•ty pr4lduces happineaa. l1ama were honoNd "Reduce, I pray, the mf anness in me. May I cease f~r their Y-_ears.. of ..,_ to nag; and when I amo• of sorts, help me, 0 Lord, ! vice at a <lintier ~ov. to hold my tongue. Blind me to the little errors·of , . 8. A professor,tup In my childre~ and help m~fto ae!e.e_good thing& t!tat his honor was ·arso they do. Give me area wo tor honest praise: established. · "Help me to treat my c d n as those of their. own age, but let me not e · 1 bf them the jud1- ments and conventions of adtd,ta. Allow me not to rob ·them of the opportunity io wait upon them– selves, to think, to choose anf to make their own decisions. ~ . "Forbid that I should ever puniah them for my selfish satisfaction. May I .grant them all their wishes that are reaso~ble ajd have ·the courage ' always to withhold a privilegl which I know will do them harm. "Make me so fair and jJ.UJt,. so considerate and colll\)anionable to my children that they will have genuine esteem for me. Fit ·me to be loved and imitated by my children. Oh God, do give me calm and poise and self-cott ~ . " ,,._... .. _ ~ . "