Speaking of my preschoolers....my mind questions them as well. My main responsibility for these darlings is to be giving them a safe environment as well as a consistent and harmonious environment to walk into every morning. Am I able to do so? Yes. Am I able to reward, remind, hug, correct, and hand out large doses of TLC? Yes. My question is the boundaries. Where does the boundary line in my classroom meet the home stretch where these children live. Okay, I'm confusing you I'm sure. My classroom rules are nothing out of the ordinary. I ask they use their "walking feet". No running. Sharing is caring. Hands to ourselves. Putting items back after each use. Pretty basic stuff I think. MMmmm....no? I've had parents hand over information to me lately regarding their child that makes my head spin. I just hope as they are speaking to me, my eyes are not as large as they seem to be.
My question is this; could this be a generation thing, or am I just thinking I was too strict with my own children? Okay, I'll answer this question for you. NO I am not too strict with my own children it MUST be a generation thing. I have always wondered why parents complain about their children after the fact they have the damage done. Why would anyone permit their four year old to remain awake as everyone else in the house is sleeping. What is that child doing alone for several hours until he falls asleep? Oh, silly me....he's watching TV in his room or playing with his favorite video game, or cell phone. Yes, cell phone. Texting? I can't get texting down to a science yet- what is this four year old doing?! Who is he texting? I know Diego doesn't have a texting plan, he is too busy saving animals.
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Moving on to the teens. I also have questions popping into my wonderland about teens today. What truly makes them happy. Once again, I am not saying my children are the perfect images of 4, 15 & 16 year olds. The are not. I repeat they are not! laughing
They are however learning the boundaries. The rise and fall of success. Where it comes from what is truly is. Some of their friends have everything. Everything from the newest car to the $700 cell phone. From plastic money to wads of $100's just to go to Pot Belly. Of course I don't have the wads of $100's to go into Pot Belly just to order a deli sandwich and Coke, and I certainly do not have the $700 cell phone. But these kids do....we see it every day. I see it as I take China Doll to school activities or into Starbucks to meet her friends before they head over to the ice rink. Freckle Boy has a friend show up in a 2011 Jetta. While our kids get an allowance to participate in these outings with friends.....I question it as well. We are trying very hard to help our children understand the importance of money. Hard earned money or inherited money, it's all the same. You eventually need it for something other than a latte or Hollister jeans. You'll need it in many areas for your life. Yet money will not make you truly happy. I see teens becoming absorbed with monetary gifts.....allowing people to "buy" their love through gifts. Our teens see this and they know the differences, yet it is so tempting for them when this does occur.
China Doll had a conversation with her Uncle D* the other morning regarding this economy.
She's getting it. I'm glad. She is seeing the other side. And I should say not all of her comrades are drowning in the "I want, I want" pool. Most of her friends are just like her. They look awesome in their trendy clothes, and they do have the cell phone that isn't something Grandma Ice Cream or Pop Pop would use.....but they get it. They appreciate what they are receiving, even though it may come with small print. Our small print for them is to remember the importance of what life is truly about. What is the true focus here. Is it Hollister or Verizon? Is it Diego or Guitar Hero?
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Adults. This post is getting longer than I wanted. Now that I am back in the work field, I am surrounded by many, many personalities as well as cultures. It's cool. I'm enjoying my new friends from Russia, El Salvador and DC Metro!
Yet some of the surroundings are not always positive as we know. I'm not expecting Utopia, I'm an adult, I know what is out here in our world. But it will continue to amaze me on what we do to each other and to ourselves. Ignorance is bliss..... no it isn't.
I love the song "My own little world" by Matthew West. The lyrics speak with enormous power of what our society walks to. Population Me.
I won't continue rambling on about us adults. You know it as well as I do. I've read some very awesome post lately from my blogging sisters. And you know I love you all! Your words of encouragement and pure honesty means so much to me. So, with that said....thank you for reading my wondering wonders.
Life Lessons: Not to worry about the wonders.
Peace&Love,
Lis
Lis,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your blog today. When I re-entered the work world after the Mommy track, I, too, entered the world of education, only I entered the world of teenagers. And yet the questions were all the same. Just like preschoolers, teens will tell you anything. And I found myself entering into their personal worlds whether I wanted to or not.....was challenged by generational differences of Boomers raising teens much differently than I was raised, and now that I am working with elementary students as a counselor, I find myself asking the similar questions.....and yet I am coming to the conclusion more and more...than within each of us (myself included) is this sin nature that scream Me! Me! Me!
And after tumultuous years of raising my first teen, doing what I thought was right only encountering rebellion from her, I am learning parenting is the most humbling and difficult experience there is. Saying NO when everything in you wants to say "yes" just to have some peace. Asking for forgiveness because in your pride, you were not willing to acknowledge what your child says about you is true. It all still comes down to self.
I appreciate your honestly, and come along side you in pondering the generations, the status of society, and raw sin. It leads me all the more to cling to Jesus, and His word - the only truth in the midst.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
So with you on this...and it has been the same for all 27 years of my parenting. Possession have become the thing instead of just time with your child...so sad. My kids got it...because we couldn't do it for them they learned the work ethic well...they have been putting themselves through college, which wouldn't have happened if we had of been doing it for them for years.
ReplyDeleteThe four year old thing...well my just turned 5, but I am seeing it in his age also...sad.
Yes there are a lot of families that get it and I am so glad for that...even having one family that gets it along with you helps you to hold up the standard.
Love the song...I love that song...too true and I see it too much in my own children, even though they were taught better they too can be caught up in the Population of Me...I have seen it more as they left the home and on their own...society has that big of pull.
I ponder your thoughts also. Blessings as you continue with those little ones and parent your own.
We have similar thoughts!
ReplyDeleteLis,
ReplyDeleteI got back from Chiang Mai the other night, and today, my friend Trudi and I started the Elijah House Basic School 2. It's a two week school for prayer ministry, level 2.
This post is such a good one, that I had to read it again before leaving my own thoughts.
I agree with you on everything. Once heard my pastor tell us parents with teens that sometimes we have to make them feel we're on their side when it comes to looking good and feeling good with peers. It's their language, so good cell phones, and good jeans... it's important to them. And we need to let them feel we know how they feel. But what we need to do is teach them that that isn't where the real thing is. It is just helping them know we know it's what's important to them at this age... SO I totally agree with you.
Boundaries...yes, many adults are grown ups with little boys and girls still living on the inside playing with expensive toys... SO it is important that we are all getting it!
Kids...teens...adults... what an lifelong lesson this is - eternal values!
Loved this post. Sure would love to have a Starbucks latte with you, it's my favorite coffee drink!
Love you, Lis...
Lidj