It’s half term in the UK, and here in the Vendée we are looking forward to ours starting next week. Of course school holidays means that the kids are at home 24/7, so I thought I would share these words of wisdom with you all that you might find helpful!!
Taken from a book I bought from Emmaus and gave to Richard one birthday, I think you will find this food for thought.
The book, ”La classe en Anglais”, from The Green Series by E. Gourio, was written in 1918. It is a french text book for teaching english (written in english), split into different lessons.
This is lesson 57:-
Duties of Children
Treat your parents with respect.There are children who speak to their parents with rudeness, and grow sullen when their parents find fault with them. Beware of such disrespect. You are young, and you should therefore take the lowest place. You have much to learn, and you should therefore hear instead of seeking to be heard.
Be grateful to your parents. When you were sick, how tenderly did they hang over you! When you were in want of anything, how cheerfully did they toil to supply your need! Surely, there cannot be a greater monster than an unthankful child.
Obey your parents. Do not receive their commands with a sour, angry look, which says louder than words that you obey only because you must; but whatever they bid you do, do it cheerfully. Do not wait for them to repeat a command: obey at once. Even when only a look tells you what they want, fly to perform it.
Place confidence in your parents. You should have no secrets which you are unwilling to tell them. If you have done wrong, you should openly confess it, and ask their forgiveness. If you wish to undertake anything, ask their consent. A dissembling child cannot thrive, and is often very miserable.
Children! These are your duties. Love, obey your parents; trust in them. Be to them a comfort and an honour. So live, that they may ever look upon you with delight. So live, that the thought of your virtues may smooth their last hours.
I love this passage and have been known to read it to visiting children! Unfortunately they all know me far to well to take it too seriously.
Why don’t you try to read it to children you know. Let us know how you get on 
That’s great- if only all children were taught like that in the UK… life would be better over here :/
Enjoy your half term
Thanks Lucy! Think you might be right about bringing up the children – there’s a lot to be said for that kind of policy
Sorry, but this is how we brought up our children. hame it didn’t work.
Haha, will have to discuss this with Charlotte next time she’s over