Two Cents Worth
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I would like to inform everyone the hacked, nude photos of Ariana Grande and McKayla Maroney, circulating on the Internet, are actually of me. I admit they have been photoshopped but that’s OK by me. It’s a reminder that no one is safe on the Internet.
A couple weeks into it and how are you doing?
The kids should be well ensconced in the routine of school, new alliances made and old friendships restored. By now they have figured out that the work is too hard, too easy or OK and the teachers are jerks, great, nice or stupid. You have rediscovered peace and quiet, you miss them already or you wish school lasted all year. The kids and parents will feel all those things at various times during this new school year.
How well have you prepared your kids? It’s not just about the clothes or lunches. It’s not just about study habits or homework. It’s not just about friends, after school activities, sports, school spirit. All of those things are important but it goes far beyond that.
What have you done to teach your kids how to respect the teachers, other students and themselves? What have they learned about the dangers and damage of bullying? What have they learned about kindness, courtesy, acceptance and tolerance? Have they learned how to stand up for themselves in a positive and constructive way? Have they learned to defend and protect those less able? Are your children able to handle disputes effectively and efficiently without resorting to violence, name calling and threats?
These are all things kids should learn at home long before they start school. These are things that are reinforced when they see them practiced every day within their own families. Our children should learn these things at home so they know how it’s done in a public environment like school.
Many parents do show and teach their children the proper way to live in society. Some can’t because their vision of surviving society is skewed by their own experiences. Some kids are determined to forge their own path, dancing to their own drum beat, creating their own reality, resolute in being non-conformists to societal norms. We must give them credit for individuality, allow them the experience, as long as they are respectful, cause no harm or infringe on the freedom or safety of others.
Rules are put in place to protect people from injury and maltreatment. We need rules so our property isn’t damaged or destroyed. Rules should not be enacted in order to control, restrain, dominate, manipulate or curb growth, self-expression or individuality.
It’s a fine line parents and teachers have to walk each day. Let’s travel that line with the well-being of our children as the main focus.