| Thoughts ... on Math, Life and Happiness |
I was thinking, remembering and ...
>That can be bad for your health.
I taught Math for over thirty years. Perhaps the most common question I got from students was:
"When will I ever use this?"
>And you answered?
Oh, the standard stuff:
"You never know what the future holds"
and
"It helps to develop clear and logical thinking"
and ...
>And did anyone swallow that?
I doubt it.
>But now you're retired and don't have to convince anybody.
Well, I still get comments from readers like:
"Can you skip the math and just go to the answer?"
Remember, I adopted the name gummy some ten years ago because I was accused of "gumming" things up with Math.
However, it's my website and now that I'm retired I can do what pleases me.
>And write whatever garbage comes to mind, eh?
Uh ... yes. But, for a satisfying retirement, I think you need curiosity. For me, it's essential and ...
>And what other things do you need?
|
>That's it? Four Cs?
I like to think of it as C4.
>There you go again, gumming things up with ...
Of course, one can add Concern and Consideration for others and ..
>And some Cash is good. And how 'bout a neat Car? A
testa rossa maybe?
| Raising Kids |
Recently, our family was talking about how to raise kids so I thought I'd mention my thoughts on the subject.
>Because nobody else would listen?
Well ... sort of.
Anyway, here are my thoughts:
- There should be lots of House Rules
You read a page from a book, you get 15 minutes of TV**.
You keep your room neat.
You don't use bad language.
You do your homework before you play. We'll help. - A penalty for disobeying the Rules
No TV, stay indoors, no dessert, extra house duties ... or whatever.
Really bad activity? A spanking. - Work for your weekly allowance
Weed the garden, take out the trash, wash / dry the dishes etc.
... then you get your (small) allowance. - Finish your meals
Mom made a healthy meal. Eat it ... or go hungry
... and the whole family eats together. - Lots of hugging
If you do good in school or some project or weeding the garden, you get a big hug
... or (at least) recognition that you done good. - Lots of do-it-together Family Activities
Camping (and roasting marshmallows), digging for clams (and worms for fishing), Disneyland, etc.
... and the whole family eats together. - Mom & Dad agree on everything
Parents talk a lot (after the kids are in bed) about what to do in various situations
... so the kiddies never get different responses to the same request. - Uniform Treatment
Exactly the same number (and colour) of treats in their Christmas stockings.
Similar treatment on birthdays, equivalent presents at Christmas, etc. - Ask their Advice on various issues
What movie should we see? What would you like for dinner? Where should we go camping?
We're thinking of having Johnny stay for a week while his parents are on vacation. What do you think of that? - Teach the kids to Share
Here's a treat. Share it with your brother and sisters.
When you're finished playing with your new toy, show the others how to use it.
We had a box of coloured poker chips. Each of our four kids had a colour. They read a page, they got one chip.
Atop the TV set was a piggy bank. They put their chips in there. (We randomly ask them to describe the pages they read.)
>Them's the ten commandments?
Well, yes ... for my wife and I.
>I don't like the part about spanking.
I didn't think you would.
>So did these things work ... for
your kids?
I think so. They're now in their thirties ... and we're very proud of them all.
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