When my kids turn 8, they should read this
I remember it like yesterday. Dad left. Well, not as importantly as the words he left
“take care of the family”
I usually try not to get all personal here. But yes, I was thrown to the wolves. I’m pretty sure Dad was confident in my super saiyan training, and knew that everything would be a-ok. Cause I would make them that way.
So when I saw the following article, I got a little up in arms.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/133103
Wait, so a mom gets flak for letting her 9 year old son ride the subway? He specifically asked to have his own adventure. It’s something I did. So why is she getting so much shit for a kid that wants to go out and kick asses.
When I was eight, I was responsible for waking myself up, getting myself to and from school, dodging the crazy bad influences, and getting straight a’s. I knew what was required, and I did it. Of course I needed correcting every once in a while, but once I learned, I learned.
So I get a little sad when children get over-coddled. I think the earlier that kids are given responsibility (i.e. if you don’t take out the trash, it won’t get done) the earlier they can get out in the world and start kicking actual asses.
It doesn’t mean to take away their childhood…but it does mean to let them make the mistakes that children do, so they won’t screw up when they’re adults. I think that kids are a reflection of parenting: you can only trust to them to do what you’ve raised them to. I don’t blame violent movies, or curse filled music. I blame the parents that can’t explain the difference from right and wrong, and let them affect them.
That gets me to thinking…do we really ever become “not kids” I mean, sure we have an “adult” title. But what does “adult” mean? It means you take care of yourself, right? So what happens if your parents (i.e. job) decides you haven’t been doing your chores and decides to take away your allowance?
Instead of being connected to the world, which is good, we are being shielded from the world….which sucks. Instead of people who go out to independently think and go do what is right, we are told what to think and do what everyone else is. I personally don’t know anyone that is uber-successful doing what everyone else is doing…and maybe that’s my point…
My original point, I forgot. I know this though…when my kids are 8, I’m throwing their asses to the wolves lol.
a.i. 2009
May 11, 2009 at 9:30 am
I agree with you on the over coddling.
But on the other hand, our current world is a bit more scarier/ dangerous than it was back when we were kids (and I may be speaking out of context bc I’m a wee bit older. lol)
But when we were younger, we’d be out on the playground behind the apartments even after the streetlights were on.
Seems like you can’t even do that anymore.
May 11, 2009 at 3:28 pm
nicki…
studies have proven that the world is actually SAFER than it was years ago…crime rates have drastically dropped in their respective areas (well except for detroit, which is pretty much grimy all the time lol)
They were saying it’s a one in a million occurrence of a kid getting napped. The only thing that has increased is a 24 hour news cycle, and people being deathly scared of stuff that 99% of the time won’t happen (i.e. swine flu)
don’t project that fear onto the kids…help them to understand the unknown
May 13, 2009 at 1:07 am
I completely agree that it’s safer now than it was before.. Is there any studies on this somewhere?
Anyways, I think we should let our kids do more and fall down 15 times, just make sure they get up 16.. But I am not saying help them up either.
Good points.
May 13, 2009 at 11:32 am
“studies have proven that the world is actually SAFER than it was years ago…crime rates have drastically dropped in their respective areas (well except for detroit, which is pretty much grimy all the time lol)”
REALLLLY? I had no clue- but of course, I didn’t research. Thanks Whyso.
May 13, 2009 at 2:33 pm
nicki:
yes. a.i. is here to smash misconceptions, challenge expectations, stretch limitations, educate and inform.
my buzzword knowledge WINS! lol
But for real though, media keeps us in fear so that we can give them more money. At least that’s my theory.