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10 pieces of advice Hugh Beaumont gave to parents in 1959
Get some advice from one of television's top dads!
Hugh Beaumont played the role of one of television's top dads, Ward Cleaver, in the hit series Leave It to Beaver (1957). He was the father of Beaver and Wally Cleaver — which was a big task for any dad to take on.
Ward Cleaver was known for always being kind, wise and almost too patient with Beaver and Wally. Beaumont and his character shared a few things in common, but the biggest similarity between the two was how they decided to raise their children.
Beaumont was a professional dad; He had three children of his own and two fictional children.
In a 1959 interview with The Atlanta Journal, Beaumont gave 10 pieces of advice to parents across the country. It's almost as if Ward Cleaver himself wrote them.
Whether you've had kids, want kids, are expecting, or just love Beaver, these 10 parenting tips are straight from one of TV's greatest dads and actors.
Watch Leave It to Beaver on MeTV!
Weekdays at 8 & 8:30 AM, Sundays at 1 & 1:30 PM
*available in most MeTV markets1. Be Gentle
"Don't be afraid to be gentle with your children. They appreciate gentleness and won't think of you as weak, particularly if you make an exception or two to this rule and become strong when the occasion demands."
2. Be Consistent
"Be consistent. Don't give your children one decision now and reverse yourself 10 minutes later. Once you have determined a course of action, stick to it."
3. Be Honest
"Be honest. Particularly, don't ask your children to lie for you on the phone or in any other way."
4. Don't Stop Growing
"Don't allow yourself to stop growing. If your kids see that you are still willing to learn, you shorten the gap between the children and adults."
5. Don't Make Demands
"Be satisfied with less than perfection from the children. Don't demand they be at the top of the class, best in sports and paragons of virtue."
6. Have a Soft Voice
"Cultivate a soft voice. During periods of excitement, a soft voice will get more attention than a shout."
7. Create healthy relationships
"Build family jobs and fun habits. It is especially good to encourage private jokes that only mom, dad, brother and sister are 'in' on."
8. Mix Up Your Routine
"Get away from steady routines every once in awhile. City families should go to the country, country families should visit the cities, periodically."
9. Start Teaching Early
"Start teaching responsibility early. Assign projects such as household duties, caring for pets and so on at as early of an age as possible."
10. Stay Positive
"Finally, don't let your kids become discouraged no matter how dark things may seem. In my own case I always bring to mind the old saying 'This too, shall pass.'"
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44 Comments
I admire the honesty about the production.
Your comment actually made me go out and find an emoji!
