“If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all.” -Pearl S. Buck
Hals Take: Children are the future. It’s a sentiment that we’ve all heard so many times that we don’t even really hear it anymore. But take just a moment to think about it in a different way. YOUR children are the future. It’s easy to shake our heads like generations before us and lament the state of “these kids today”, but that doesn’t do anyone any good.
Rearing the nation’s children isn’t your job – well, if you are a teacher, then maybe it is – but raising your children is. Start each day thinking about what you’d like your child’s character to be like in 20 or 30 years. Then act accordingly. Do you want them to be kind? Show kindness to them and to others. Do you want them to be resourceful? Give them a chance – turn off the TV and send them outside. Do you want them to be self-reliant? Don’t rescue them in difficult circumstances that you know they can handle. This is not child’s play, folks. This is serious. What you do today with your own children WILL impact the future of this nation. Be intentional and be calm. We’ll all be better off in the long run.
-Hal Runkel, LMFT author of ScreamFree Parenting
The Confident Mom’s take: So often as parents we can forget the big picture. We get caught up in the daily tasks and distractions that can keep us from seeing what our ultimate goal is, raising ADULTS. Parents have an incredible job, and I am even more passionate about mothers (family managers) having an even more impactful role in their child’s life. We set the tone and environment in our homes and have the opportunity to help our children learn so many necessary life skills – we are invaluable! Just as Hal says, be intentional and CALM! What you do today does influence tomorrow and even future generations to come.
For more information on how you can tame your temper and create a calm home, join me for a ScreamFree Parenting Teleseminar for Busy Moms. Four weeks to better relationships, more cooperation and less nagging!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Love this!!! It is something I think about often, especially when it comes to the computer. There are times I am in the middle of writing or reading something when my kids want my attention. There are times they need to learn to wait, but there are other times, when I need to show them that they are more important to me than the computer. I always think, when they are 15 and on the computer, I want them to stop and listen to me, so I will show them the same respect now.
I fail at that too sometimes! I think as moms we are trying so hard to multi-task, but that is not always the best way. You are right that at times they need to wait, but for you to stop and give them the attention that they need and break away from your “duties” is valuable too. Good for you for realizing the balance that takes. Appreciate your comment – have a wonderful day!
Oh gosh, I could REALLY go on about this topic for pages, lol, but I won’t.
My husband is alwasy touting that we HAVE to not only teach our children to be intelligent but that we also have to teach emotional intelligence and that SO many kids today don’t recieve that kind of teaching. We know too many kids that are emotionally crippled because the parents do not see the value in teaching them now. They think it just comes naturally when it of course, does not.
We try to be very intentionally in everything we do. It does not always happen but it is usually on the forefront of our minds. Life is about choices and we are choosing to teach our children everything we can as young as they can manage it. It sure has made life with an 11 year old and 7 year old easier than it sure could be. Not to say we are not still teaching and it is not still difficult but when I see other children who lack certain morals and values that are imperitive to there age I feel sad for them because life will be tough for them.
I really love this blog and hope that it can get so many visitors that it will make a positive impact on our society because we desperately need it.
Thanks Tiffany, always love what you add to the topic! It is a subject dear to my heart too and hope to help parents truly grasp. I appreciate your support of my blog and how I do want to empower moms which then does strengthen families! If mom’s have support it will be amazing what changes we can make for future generations!!
If I had to summarize the main difference between my parenting style and that of my own folks, it would be intentional parenting. I don’t want to make decisions by the seat of my pants or do something because it feels right at the moment. I want to make choices for how we spend our time as a family and invest our resources, so that we raise children who know that they are loved by their parents and by God.
Love your comment! Being intentional is key and I love that you are aware and invest where you need to. HOORAY!!
I am struggling with letting my 2.5 and 4 year old watch too many videos. My husband turns it on when they wake up with him and he wants to just get ready for work. I should wake up then and try to stop it from happening but ugghhh!
are there some tips for keeping the tv off in the morning? Thanks.
How about finding an activity that they enjoy doing – coloring, play-do, or similar that you can allow them ONLY to do at this time – so then it becomes special. I have found also that music CD’s are great and a way to keep kids engaged without the screen involvement. These LadyBug CD’s are great and available at our local library: http://www.amazon.com/Green-Collection-Ladybug-Music/dp/B004L5D40S/ref=sr_1_10?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1315944421&sr=1-10
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