So…what doesconstitute “Good Parenting”?  Some people, it appears, seem to feel that being your children’s ‘friend’ will make you a ‘good parent’; however, what does that really promote?  Is it a priority to be this first and foremost in your child’s life rather then someone who instills discipline and a sense of responsibility in them as they learn and grow.  It is my belief that one of the top priorities as a parent must be, of course, teach the basics; but also, a few other rather important and integral details; such as learning coping skills with many different life situations, interaction skills with many different kinds of people, the always obvious right from wrong according to your perception of the generally accepted standard laws and rules of everyday life.  How about the concept of providing the best example possible of what generally acceptable values are in today’s world?  it is my feeling that this is one of the most important thing a parent can do to help their child or children to grow to be a well adjusted and developed, intelligent and conscientious person. 

Now while I believe that it is important to teach the children good values, and skills in coping and all that I have mentioned above; I also don’t believe it is the most important concept to be our children’s ‘friend’ while sacrificing good parenting skills; that doesn’t mean however, that we shouldn’t extend our gentle and kind side to our children as a way of helping our children gaining a certain amount of trust in our parenting skills and administration of stability as an adult figure in their lives.  Something else that should be important as a parent; I feel it is best to customize our parenting to each child’s needs.  We aren’t human manufacturing devices that create ‘cookie cutter’ children; so we shouldn’t treat them all the same.  We each have a responsibility as adults, parent or not, to be the best example we possibly can, you just never know when a child will be within ear or eyeshot of what you are doing and decide to emulate what you do. 

Thanks for reading, be sure to check yourself and provide the best example possible.

Ok, so what is it with the next generation?  They can’t seem to settle down long enough to think things through and make a clear and resolute decision…like a certain family member of mine.  He is 22, and corresponded with a young lady 3 years younger then himself for a few years while he was incarcerated for charges that were not fitting for his actions; but I digress.  So here it is, the have only been seeing each other since February in person, and they got engaged rather quickly, and then proceeded to set their wedding date so that they only had two and a half months to plan something simple yet elegant; mind you this is after they had several times already called it quits for about anywhere from a week to only a day or so.  Go figure…anyhow, so now after the um-teenth time of calling everything off, they are reconciling and finally and apparently taking things a bit more slowly…FINALLY, it’s only about time!!  So now, it appears that maybe they have learned their lesson and are putting off setting an actual date and just enjoying the engagement and each other and getting to know one another a lil more.

So what is it really with the next generation?  Do they just loose focus on what they are supposed to be thinking about; or do they just really not care all that much, or at least as much as the generation before them?  These are some really eye-opening questions if you consider that this next generation will be those who are the ones running the big businesses, the government, the small town grocery and everything in between.  So how can we help those who come after us to lead in the same manner that was but in this ever-changing world where things change as quickly as the traffic lights do when you are in a hurry.  I guess that is my question to you all…the readers…I leave it up to you.

Thanks for taking the time to read, now what to do about the next group?

D R E A M S…

What are they? Does everyone have them? What do they mean? Why do we have them? Do we have to dream? These are all timeless questions asked by many people with regards to dreams. I’ll attempt to uncover some interesting facts and you can make the decision on your own. Dreams are an inward reflection of things in the waking world that have gone unresolved, cause for concern, fantasies, pure imagination, subjective analogies to an issue happening in your life, or manifestations of deep rooted anxieties. For things that have gone unresolved; you must decided what symbology might have been used in your dream; such as a pink zebra doesn’t mean necessarily that you will have an encounter with an actual pink zebra. You have to determine what the pink zebra might mean in your daily life; what it might represent. Your dreams might be showing hidden things in the waking world that you aren’t fully aware of otherwise to try to bring your attention to something that is very important. Dreams can be pure fantasy where the individual is consumed with thoughts of a particular target person and thus is influenced to have a dream about that individual or group of people. Some people dream of projects or events that they are involved with as the planning process. Dreams also can play a part in an individuals recall of a past event or other emotionally charged event. Dreams can also play a special spiritual role to each individual as well. As a spiritual tool, the individual may have a positively sacred or spiritual dream where it is a warning, an answer to a sincere prayer, or any other way God should choose to communicate with his Earth-bound mortal children. Dreams are a very important tool and personal way to gain insight to one’s own psyche. If you use this gift as a tool, it can be a very lovely thing as you solve the daily problems, receive inspiration, reflection of daily life living, etc. so to answer all of those questions from the beginning: they are reflective manifestations of our own capabilities, they are a personal manner in which to recharge our spiritual and physical and mortal batteries, they are a way to plan out a approach to life’s many ups and downs. Thanks for reading and keep dreaming!!

Does…it take a village…?

So, they say it takes a village to raise a child.  Why is that do you suppose?  And who or what constitutes a ‘village’?  Well, so here are my theories on the subject.

Ok, so first, I think that it takes a village because when trying to teach a child, not one person has all of the knowledge to make sure the child has all of the knowledge needed for their life to be as successful as they possibly can.  So in light of this fact, the more people involved in influencing and teaching this child what they need to know the better.  Each of us have our own talents and skills that we individually can teach a child.  So now, with this in mind, wouldn’t it be logical that pooling these talents and skills together for the betterment of the next generation be ideal?

Now, so the next thing; who or what constitutes the ‘village’.  Well, in my estimation; that would be anyone and everyone this child comes into contact with at all times.  Now that doesn’t mean that everyone is the best influence or teacher, it just means that this child is observing us all, and we should all act accordingly.  In today’s world, the concept of the ‘village’ is the environment in which the child learns and grows within.  Whatever that may be, it needs to be a healthy and positive environment.  Which I believe to be something we all as humans desire.  So why not offer it freely.

So to answer the question: “Does it take a village?”  Yes!!  It most certainly does; the more the merrier!  So start paying closer attention to what you are doing, and what you are saying; for you never know who is within observation or earshot distance of you and your actions and speech.

INNOCENCE~

The innocence of a child is a special thing; yet, in today’s world it seems to be less important in the scheme of things, which to me, is a very sad affair.  So why is it that the innocence of a child should be protected and safeguarded?  Well, I can tell you why.

The first reason would most definitely be for the health and well-being of the child.  Why subject these young souls to so much turmoil and corruption before they are ready to make an informed decision?  We don’t take an eight year old, hand them the keys to the car and say, “Ok junior, take yourself to the park, I’m busy just now…” do we?  I should think NOT!  Most of the populous would consider that not only irresponsible, but dangerous and completely ludicrous!!  Not to mention the child isn’t mature enough to do something complex as driving a vehicle.  We all know this, yet; we expect them to emotionally and mentally take on things that are truly beyond their level of understanding, or comprehension.

Second, we need to safeguard and protect children for the simple reason that they are still growing and learning.  And in this endeavor, if we want to stop all of the violence that goes on in the world, what better way then to teach the children ways to handle situations in a calm and peaceful manner instead of resorting to violence to solve the problems they come across.  If we teach them how to handle different situations in more rational and calm manners, then they can inspire others to do the same; and before you know it, everyone they come in contact with will be adopting this behavior which then will influence those they come in contact with…and so on and so forth.  A true ‘pyramid’ system of instilling the change that the world so desperately needs if we are to have the next generation be successful.

Next, safeguarding and protecting children is something that has merit, and is one of the most worthy causes today.  Let me put it to you another way; which would you rather see: a child with a bright smile and twinkling eyes…or, a child with a downtrodden face and emptiness and despair in their eyes?  My choice; the first one…why?  Because when you see the brilliant happy smile of a child and dreams of the future in their eyes, it gives you hope for the future, which most people appreciate.  The other…well it simply defeats you emotionally until you can find something to pick you back up.

And finally, and this one is more of an eternal reasoning.  We are all children of a loving Father in Heaven, who loves us, and that is whether we are a child in chronological years or not; we are all His children.  From before the world was, until the time it becomes changed to it’s glorified form after judgement…we are ALL His children and deserve to be happy and healthy.  Young and old alike, no one is excluded.

So hopefully you will resolve to do what is necessary to safeguard and protect the children of the world!!