Yip it's one of those days... bubba is sleeping. I'm trying to get him into a better day pattern. Poor kid gets dragged all over the show he doesn't quite know when to sleep or not. At least he (usually) knows night is for sleep.
He thinks the carseat is some kind of torture, like, going into it suddenly causes an onset of baby insomnia and episodes of crying whenever the vehicle ceases to move.
They're funny these little people. Such personalities while still so young and small. They know what they do and don't like and just how to tell you.
In all its frustrations and delights I often find myself thinking over how to raise these little people, discipline and teach them, while fully enabling them to be confident in who they are and what they are capable of.
Never before have children been so free to discover who they are and live their dreams like the generation being born right now.
There is no ceiling, no limitations in what they are able to accomplish if they really want to.
My hubby and I have noticed lately.... in the childrens books of our parents, there is a recurring theme of being 'small' - being in a safe world and staying well within your safe little comfort zone. Being confined and definitely not stepping out or trying to break the mold... and if you did, right back to the safe little place you go once you discover the world is big and bad and you simply cannot break out.
What a message to send to a generation. And, they largely lived within the parameters of that. It was and is very difficult being of that generation and not fitting the mold.
Then you get todays books.... living dreams, trying everything and anything. You are capable and competent. You are incredible. The world is waiting for you to be!
And somewhere in between there was a revolution, and we didn't even know it.
My generation, our generation, is crying out for freedom. For social change that enables. We are beginning to see people that rise up and live their dreams as amazing, rather than crazy or silly. We want to do it too. We want to break the mold and the holds of society on us.
We're discovering who we are and who we were made to be. And we're ok with that and have found that in being that, we are the closest to free we have ever been.
What's more, we have people rising up... in pockets all over the world, who are prepared to or are fighting for anothers right to that same freedom. What a stage we have set before us.
I believe we are the closest to a radical shift that the world has seen in a long time.
So how do we raise a generation facing possible impossibilities for their future? I mean, while freedom is great, and we want it and need it - there are good and bad in both scenarios.
How do we find a balance between chasing our dreams, living our dreams, and facing the reality of life and what is necessary to make life good and make life work...
The large majority in our parents' generation know how to work hard. Get a job, have a job and keep a job. They know how to turn up on time, keep house and yard, cook a meal from scratch. They know how to save money and work towards a reward, how to start at the bottom and work towards the top.
Somewhere in the revolution, we have a whole bunch of people who are living their 'freedom' all the while acting like the world completely owes them something.
They don't know how to get a job, work hard and keep a job. They don't keep time, don't know how to do basic things around a house, they couldn't cook a basic staple meal from cupboard ingredients.... and they don't know how to start at the bottom and work for something better. The amount of people with horrendous debt is shocking.
For example - I am astounded at how few young people have their driver's licence, their own car or a part-time job now a days. They want to have the latest stuff, go to the beach, the movies, shopping - wherever and whatever, but they don't want or in some cases even see the need to pay their way, make a fair contributionor at least work to finance the newest thing.
I got a part-time job and my licence as soon as I was old enough, I learnt to drive, and as soon as I had saved enough money, paid for my very own first car. I paid for the petrol, the warrants and registration, and the insurance. I bought my very first cellphone and always paid for the top ups. We help in a youth ministry, and the outside of 'church' setting, the activities we can do are limited - because virtually none of the youth drive, let alone have a car...
Somewhere while entagled in the idea of freedom, people have become so idealistic that they expect everything to come knocking at their door - instead of involving hard work, which leads to increasing levels of freedom... they want to chase their dreams, but neglect the responsibility that comes with life as an adult.
It is true when we hear that saying "they want what their parent's have now, without the sacrifice and hard work their parents put in to get it"
I want to raise kids that are well rounded individuals... to do enough for them that they have what they need and some of what they want, but that they recognise and have incentive to work hard and reap the rewards and self-respect that come from earning an honest living.
Hopefully balance can be found somewhere around here....
- work = money. Learn how to save it, spend it and give it
- every person is valuable and deserves respect and dignity, including yourself
- life is not always fair, your turn will come
- work hard, play hard, be fair
- arrive on time
- discover who you are and what you are good at, and do that
- don't spend most of your time trying to overcome your weaknesses. Do what you can do and do it well
- encourage others
- make good choices for yourself
- tackle challenges, face your fears
- it's ok to make mistakes
- say sorry, apologies are valuable
- pray everyday
- be thankful
- learn to drive, get a car, get your full licence
- relationships are more important than anything else
- give to others without expectation
- look after your spirit, your soul and your body
- have only a few non-negotiable rules
- find your place, rise up and give it 100%
- let other's have their opinions, and you have yours
- don't forget to live - especially while you're waiting for the next big thing
- live for a greater cause than yourself and your family
- there is always more
Today may your eyes be opened to the world of possible impossibilties around you, and what is in your hand to do...
