"Doing the right thing" as a parent isn't always easy. However, the following list of "Ten Commandments" can act as a guide for parents when it comes to teaching their youngsters abou the responsibilities of raising and showing animals.
1. Thou shalt not feed, train, and care for the animal, for thou art trying to teach the child responsibility;
2. Thou shalt forgive a child for making mistakes in the show ring, for thou hath made mistakes too;
3. Thou shalt not get mad when thy child forgets items in the show box, for one day thou may forget the show box;
4. Thou shalt help the show management for they are doing a job that thou would not want to do;
5. Thou shalt see that thy child is on time for all show activites for thou would not want to wait on another;
6. Thou shalt be sure that they child has the animals entered and the registration papers in order by the disignated time;
7. Thou shalt teach the child that winning a blue ribbon is a desirable goal, but making friends and learning about livestock production along the way is a more worthy goal;
8. Thou shalt not complain about the judge for it is his option that has been sought;
9. Thou shalt remember that livestock projects are teaching projects, not necessarily money-making projects;
10. Thou shalt remember that the livestock project is a family project that shall be enjoyed and supported by the entire family.
Reprinted from the National Lamb & Wool Grower, November 1995
