Well, the holidays have passed and all over town new skateboards, all terrain vehicles and bicycles will be taken for a spin by novice riders. And parents will hold their breaths and hope for the best – as parents have been doing forever. In many ways it was simpler when those same parents were growing up. The rules were few and clear: come in when the street lights go on; be respectful to adults; obey your teachers; tell the truth. But children today have many more influences on their behavior. As communication opportunities have expanded, so have the number of potential dangers.
Today’s children are bombarded by messages from the Internet, texting, and the media. As a result, they are exposed to information that was unavailable to youngsters in the past. More boys, at younger ages, are encountering pornography online. Children make Internet ‘friends’ with hundreds of strangers who may or may not be who they portray themselves to be. Kids engage in online fantasy games where other players sometimes use foul language and voice threats. And all the while, dozens of texts are coming in on the ubiquitous cell phones that must be answered immediately! No wonder that parents sometimes feel they are losing control.
Technology has made it more difficult to be a primary influence on one’s child today. But there are still many opportunities to influence and direct a child’s course in life. Parents who encourage critical thinking in children provide them with tools that can be used every day to evaluate the relevance and accuracy of incoming information. At very early ages, children can be taught ethical behavior and values that encourage personal honor, compassion toward others, and the importance of trust in relationships. Then those ideals can be reinforced through modeling, open communications, and discipline. It is true that, “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.”
Parents provide the foundation for our culture. They pass on society’s rules; teach children how to live within groups and how to function as citizens. And every day, with parent support, children are able to make good decisions and take actions that will influence the choices open to them in the future. Parenting today takes courage and is, ultimately, a lifetime commitment. But the results enrich us all. So to parents everywhere, teach well, stay vigilant, and thank you.
To contact Ramona Hall please call 661-222-7332 or visit our website at www.compassionatesolutionsscv.com.