Look For Signs of Appreciation

Dear Nurse Chris:

I'm not writing to the doctor anymore as he is very selective about which queries he'll answer. Actually, I make better question than he makes answer. So to you, the compassionate nurse Chris, I ask this question. I have a friend (let's call her "Mary"); she is very sweet and wise and full of advice, but her children won't even listen to, much less implement, her wisdom. A shame, as she could be the moral Dear Abbey or the polite Dr. Laura. I know that the real loss is on the part of those foolish whelps of hers, but in general, is there a way for parents to pass on their wisdom and know before they die that their children have listened to them? Wouldn't it help on so many levels? Imagine a world where fools could learn other than in the hard school of experience. This problem is not new to my friend, it has its root in ancient times. As that wise King Lear said, "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!"

-- All's Not Well in Endwell

Dear Endwell:

Many parents don't realize how much their children really do appreciate and learn from them. I can almost guarantee problem is Mary's own fault. It is not in style for kids today to outwardly express their thanks to their parents, so Mary needs to look deeper to see that her children are learning from her. Has Mary even noticed her children eating the food that she made? If so, that's probably their way of saying, "Thanks mom, we really have learned a lot from you."

If Mary still cannot see how grateful her children really are, I suggest she seek counseling, with or without her children.

-- Nurse Chris