I'm a bit weary.
Forgive me in advance if you are reading this and feel offended at the closing of this post. Those of you who know me personally have heard me speak on this topic before...in fact, I'll venture to say that you may already know where this is heading.
I need to talk about children of today. I also need to talk about parents of today.
I won't get into everything, but this topic is the reason why I am so weary tonight so I must journal about it.
For some reason, which I have yet to understand, parents of today do not fully comprehend that in order to raise strong, independent, self motivated, hard working, children, they need to allow their children to grow.
Sounds simple.
Yet this simply stated fact rarely, if ever in today's world, is acted upon.
And...it is getting worse, much worse.
I started teaching upper elementary 22 years ago. I have seen a change in those 22 years and it is not changing for the better.
Everyday, I witness children not being held accountable for their own choices, and to make matters even worse...these children's actions and choices are not only downplayed by their very loving parents, they are made light of and brushed right off of their little shoulders.
There are no consequences of value.
There is no valuable growth and/or learning.
Continued childhood growth without the very necessary consequences of life creates disaster.
These parents have also "over-rewarded" everything.
What once was expected of children is now rewarded as above and beyond.
And...the rewards are outrageous. These children have everything over and above what they possibly could want. Just as an example, one of my most challenging students has been given much and has traveled extensively. His parents wouldn't dream of taking away one of the nights that he has sport's practice because of a consequence from his actions in school. He has learned from his young life many, many lessons.
His parents are his first teachers.
And...one more thing, just one.
How in the world can we blame these beautiful children for some of their choices when they learn how to act and behave by watching and listening to their parents.
Here's an example that comes to mind...
A big, black, leather seated, SUV drives up to pick up their child after school. Big smiles and happy faces surround this little girl as a large group of girls pile into the SUV. "Happy Birthdays " are shouted with laughter and smiles. The shiny black SUV drives away and two little 9 year olds are left standing in the dismissal line. Two little girls.
YES...this really happened last Fall.
My heart was absolutely broken for those two beautiful children.
WHY WOULD A PARENT ALLOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN?
This is parent approved bullying behavior at its finest.
Yes, I have said it, bullying.
Google the definition if you do not agree.
These parents have set the stage for these two 9 year olds to be excluded from social activities in the future. Not just out of school but in school as well. This behavior will carry through to the classroom, gym, and outside to the playground.
NOW...do you see why Christ needs our hands and our feet? If we don't step in and force change, who will? Who will be Jesus to all of these children? Who will teach them about love, compassion...who will show them?
I've also wondered if a year of two of teacher influence will really make that much of a difference. Will they see Christ in their neighbor? family? friends? How about the people they dislike? Will they see Christ in those people too? ...or will they go back to the familiar and mimic their parent's poorly choosen behaviors.
We have entered the season of Lent. A time for penance, prayer and reflection. Pray for children everywhere. They need Jesus. Pray for parents too. They need Jesus, too.
Jesus, I trust in You!
Mary
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