Was I that bad a kid? Or did my doctor give the same instructions to all families in his care?

I found this prescription for disciplining a child when I was going through some of my mother’s things, part of the ongoing decluttering effort at our house.

Most of the eight points are still good principles for today. I’m not sure the spanking one (number six) would still be popular. And as I recall, my parents didn’t follow it. I got spanked for things that weren’t dangerous.

For the record, my wife says I still need to be taught (number one).

I only have vague memories of Doctor Nickerson. I think he was my doctor between the ages of two and perhaps ten. Until I saw this prescription, it had never occurred to me the man had a first name.

I was quite surprised when I looked online to discover just how distinguished his career was. To me he was just my doctor, but it turns out he was a pioneering giant in pediatrics who saved many children’s lives. A man of faith who lived to be 98. Someone who chose to become a doctor rather than go into the family fishing business – but who wrote a book about that business. I’m a little curious, wondering if I should try and find out more. I think it would be an interesting story. Maybe another day.

Today I’m contemplating child rearing and these rules for discipline. So much has changed in our society in the more than sixty years since Doctor Nickerson handed them to my mother. It is a very different world.

But it seems to me that child rearing is pretty much the same. You’d have to ask my children, but I think I used those basic principles with them as they grew up. Except for the spanking – and even then, who knows. I don’t remember my children doing anything really dangerous.

Can you think of anything you would add or subtract from the list?