August 2009

I am fortunate enough to live in a large metropolitan area that has great libraries. Not only do they have almost any book I've ever looked for (all two of them), but they lend out DVDs. Recently, as I was perusing the rack of movies, I happened to hear something quite disturbing.

Mother: Ooh, they have "The Mighty Ducks!" I bet your father wouldn't mind watching this one.
Son: "The Mighty Ducks?" I've never heard of that movie. What's it about?

Is this what has become of the youth of today? Have they no knowledge of Emilio Estevez? How will they know the sheer greatness of the "triple-deke." A world without quacking is one that I don't think I want to be a part of.

Or maybe it's the realization that I'm not all that young anymore that frightens me. The classic rock stations now play bands like The Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana. Plus the kids don't understand when you say things like "shampoo is better," or "Hey Tommy, quit playing with your dingy."

I guess the journey has begun. I'm on my way to becoming a bona fide adult, which is weird, because it seems like I just graduated from high school. I'm left wondering when did this all happen?

Milestones don't matter.

Parents spend a lot of time telling their kid's things like "you're special" and "I love you just the way you are." So why is it that during the early stages of life, parents put their child in a box? During the first month they must be able to coo. During the second month, the child needs to smile, laugh, and hold their head steady... and so on and so forth.

Milestones do help parents make sure there child doesn't have a disability, which is a good thing, but be wary of putting too much stock in your child reaching goals at a certain time. If you're not careful, the dark side of milestones may rear it's ugly head.

Don't Enable Sibling Rivalry

When you start comparing milestones between siblings, it can only lead to bad things. Each child will progress at a different rate, and if the older child hears you saying things like "oooh, big girl, you learned ______ way before your sister," all it does is break down the older child.

My Kid is Better than Your Kid

It goes without saying that my kids are better than yours. My dad can also beat up your dad, and your momma's so fat she needs a boomerang to put her belt on. That said, whenever comparing your situation to someone else's, remember that more than likely someone else's child will be "better" than your kid at something. Someone's dad will be able to beat up your dad, and your momma is probably fatter than someone else's momma. We're here on this earth to help each other, building on each other's experiences, not to make sure our kid is "better" than everyone else.

Sit Back and Relax

Kick your feet up, relax, and enjoy the good times... after all, once your child reaches a milestone, there's no going back.

It is often said that people today are more 'connected' than ever. Social networks allow friends, colleagues, and a slew of others stay in contact and be continually updated as to what's happening. Some children's toys are able to chart the child's learning and provide a quick report on how the child is progressing. Books are multi-lingual and talk about anything from aardvarks to Zen. Yet with all the tools and resources, society seems to be growing more and more uninvolved and disconnected from it's most important members, the kids.

So who is raising your children? Do you use the latest and greatest learning methods that money can buy? Are the educational programs on television teaching them everything they need to know? How about the workers at daycare who are around them the majority of the day? Maybe it's the public (or private) school that you've enrolled them in. Perhaps it's a Sunday School teacher, or maybe a grandparent.

While all of the above things can be good sources of wisdom and guidance, nothing can replace the love, care, and nurturing a child receives from a parent. Don't outsource your responsibility.

A wise man's daughter once said that her dad didn't tell her how to live life, he lived life and let her see it. When your kids get old enough to reflect upon the past, make sure you've done your part. I hope and pray that their memories aren't filled with after school programs, soccer practice, and the taxi drivers known as mom and dad who took them where they needed to be.

Live life, and love your kids.

In light of the recent events in the United States, I've decided to make a proposal of my own. Keep in mind that it has to go before my wife, and pass her vote… but I'm pretty sure she'll send it on through. Instead of thinking of it as 'Big Brother' getting more power, I like to think of it as 'Big Father' doing what's best for his people.

FamilyCorps

First, I would like to expand our FamilyCorps program. Anyone under the age of 10 will be forced to volunteer their services. After eating copious amounts of baked beans, together, we will research the advantages and disadvantages of methane on the environment. We will also delve into disaster recovery, better known as cleaning the basement.

Health Care

I will establish a "Health Benefits Advisory" committee and appoint its members. This committee will recommend covered benefits and essential, enhanced, and premium plans. If the child chooses the essential plan it will include one bath per week, and a diaper change per day. If the child chooses to pursue other health care options, they must maintain "acceptable health care coverage" as determined by me, or risk losing their allowance.

Taxes

I plan on raising taxes to cover the cost of the additional cost associated with the wider scope of FamilyCorps, as wells as increased health care costs. However, upon further investigation, since my wife is a stay-at-home mom, I've realized this is a loss for everyone because the money will be coming directly out of our only stream of income.

I give up

This post isn't meant to be a jab… well, it sort of is, but I am by no means big into politics. I know just enough to carry on a conversation about some current issues. But more importantly, I think it's an interesting time to be living not only in the United States, but in this world. The times they are (and have been) a-changin' (again and always, for better or worse).