A young woman with a 21-month-old baby in her arms was walking a short distance to her mother's home at 10:45 p.m. She heard footsteps behind her, and then was suddenly and abruptly knocked to the ground. Her handbag, with wallet and most of her valuables in it was snatched.
Her attackers didn't stop there. They kicked and punched her, even as she tried to protect her baby. Then one actually wrestled the infant from the mother's arms.
Well, the mother managed to get the baby back. Wounded, traumatized, she called 911. Her phone had been in her pocket.
The attackers were caught within 5 minutes. They were a boy, 14-years-old, and a girl, 12-years-old. Can you imagine? What would cause this? Unfortunately, increasing violence seems to be becoming more and more evident in society.
The practical way of trying to discover what has changed seems to be giving a long hard look at what has changed within the last three generations. Certainly, children would not have dreamed of talking back to their parents, or, Heaven help us, hitting them, attacking them when I was growing up.
A new norm has arrived. It fills those of us who are grandparents with a daily sadness for this strange new society that has evolved and changed this brave new world of technology that has enriched all kinds of daily living, supposedly made life easier, and knowledge greater than we could ever have imagined even a decade ago. Science, graphics, computers, and all their derivatives have caused a smugness in those who adapt to them with ease, and a doting, misplaced pride on the part of parents whose progeny excel at using them.
But something just doesn't feel right. What happened to society along the way? Can this brave new world actually even be called a society now? Or is it a patchwork quilt of some people working together for the good of the whole, while the majority seem to be growing up like little emperors, demanding ever more of parents who give ever more material things, in the hopes that scary relationships with their children will change?
Pre-dawn contemplation
It's 4:00 am--my contemplation and writing time. I'm thinking about children who grow up with violence, anger and disrespect in their lives. Could it be that the the sheer disengagement from children is the most dangerous predictor of an unhappy future? I mean, it's sort of hard to be violent or self destructive if you've received love, listening and caring from early childhood. These things are beyond priceless, and that's why they can't be bought. Millionaires have come to this realization often too late.
When that little, beautiful baby arrives in this world, it's time to develop all your own patience and nurturing that you can muster for at least the next 20 years! At that time is when your child achieves brain maturity. So you have time to practice demonstrating and giving love in every way you know how.
Just hold back on buying every known device to man, and permitting violence in your home. Instead, know that you are building trust and mutual respect in the way it was done for centuries before the computer came along. Make it a goal to practice gentleness and kindness with your child every day, just as you would or should with your partner.
My family models this to such a degree they are all a pleasure to be with. This week has been special. My dear daughter received her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Our little family all attended. But, as always, somehow we managed individual catch up special time together.
I went to my grandson's room. It was quiet, unlike the times for the past few years when raucous music would blare out from it. I never said it wasn't my style, or was too loud. We just screamed happily together through it.
But this time was different. He's just passed the 20-year-old mark! No music. He says he prefers it that way, so he can focus on one of his great loves in life, fly tying. He's an avid fisherman and crabbing expert. When he visits, that's what we do. Here's a video on my visit to his room this time. By the way, he's an expert welder, so those bumps on his skin are occupation related!
When the opportunity presents, sharing is caring
Perhaps parents need to parent by making special time for their children and each other every day. Saying there isn't time is not an option. Children need that reassurance and understanding. It's your job. It's your job to say "No," short and sweet when the need arises. But you can only do that successfully when you've spent time building trust and respect.
I like to think each of us as individuals can continue to hand our special wisdom from what we've learned to any child that crosses our path. As members of a society that appears to need a lot more love to be spread around than is generally happening for children, it becomes a moral opportunity for us to offer and demonstrate support and caring.
Have you found a way to help a child today?
The final say...
- Freezing Your Beet Greens via WarnerWords
- The Power of His Pen via marcoujor's musings
- Robert C. Scott's Orphan of Infamy via flashPress
As always, your participation in the indie biz and Weeblyhood community is appreciated!
Wishing you a happy weekend,
Vicki