We is general here...don't get your knickers in a twist.
We ask too much of our children. We thrust them into learning/school younger and younger. Pre-school, Pre-K, Kindergarten...all before they are even 6 years old. We take the joy out of childhood, eliminate the ability to learn as they please by forcing them into rule-laden mini societies that put further pressure on them to conform, befriend and become something that they are not.
They must keep up or be labeled and put in special classes which labels them further in the eyes of their peers. They are relegated to small desks and tables, expected to contain their boundless child energy and spoken to as if they are dirt or stupid if they don't. They are molded into mini-adults well before a time when they are mentally or physically ready to be adults.
We ask too much of our children when we micro-manage their childhoods. Overscheduling of team and individual sports, extra classes in whatever to help them "get ahead", scores and scores of activities to keep them busy so that we don't have to parent. TV, video games, computer access become babysitters with no emotional warmth or parental love.
We ask our children to be more than they are...children. Childhood is supposed to be a time of encouragement, growth and exploration. One where the rules are simple, not complex and in direct violation with everything it means to be a child.
A child will learn when they are ready to learn, they will play and learn at the same time if given the chance. Who cares really that "your baby can read" or whatever skill it may be that you feel they MUST know? I don't. Mine can't...not full books. And I'm not upset or disappointed or calling a tutor in for help. They will learn, when they are ready to learn. Focus on them being children. Let them play, let them get dirty, let them be and they will constantly surprise you with the information that they absorb and release.
What prompted this minor outburst? Children feel and understand far more than they are given credit for. They are capable of complex emotions and thoughts. Their world is not regulated to only what you see. Take the time to get to know your child...you may be surprised at what you find.
7 comments:
You figgered out their plan Momma, now you're on "the list" too. More "indoctrination" time, and psychotropic drugs for those who fail to conform. Crater the economy ever so slowly via "inflation" so that Mommy and Daddy must both work, to keep up with the Jonses as they've been programmed to. Which equals more time for Junior to be in nanny's "care". Start 'em earlier, keep 'em later and longer. Hitler was aware that the key to the future is the youth...
Well Mabe...they don't have to look far for me. I'm right there under their noses and have been in the "system" since I gave my DNA to the Army in 2001...they know where to find me if they want me.
And yes...Hitler was right about that.
I'm so glad that my parents believed that kids should be kids!
Once a neighbor asked my Dad about why he didn't plant grass on our front yard. It was always worn down because my house was on the corner lot, and it seemed that our house was the one where all the kids in the 'hood gathered.
My Dad said..." plenty of time to plant grass after the kids are grown...right now I just want them to enjoy being kids!"
Wise folks, my parents!
My parents thought like you do. I did just get a high school education. But my parents taught me far more than the school did. They taught me to use my mind for what I WANTED to do. God Bless them. I turned out just like them, and I am forever grateful.
Keep up the good work.
God Bless
See Ya
OH, you are so right!!! I can give you many examples of both kinds of parents and can certainly see the differences in their children and in the adults these children turned out to be.
HJ~ I think you Dad and I would have gotten along just fine!
MY Way~ I've lived for a good many years on just a high school education...so did my daddy. Nothing wrong with that! There is way more out there than what can be taught in a building, definately agree.
Diane~ I see them too. More of them than us though, which is sad.
bohzo (hello)
I guess I got lucky, I micro managed my kids, much more than I should have.
My son ended up in the Air Force after his private schooling, he was so used to be micro managed that he didn't like not being micro managed.
On the other side my daughter it hurt micro managing, so go figure.
Megwitch (thank you) for sharing.
Have a great day!
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