BIRD FARM SOUTHWhy Are We Raising Soft Human Beings?
11.25.09
Twas the day before Thanksgiving and I had to work. I was running a bit late and ended up stuck behind a school bus. Nobody dies if I'm a bit late for work, so I was being an observer. At each one of the houses I passed where the school bus stopped to pick up children, there was a parent sitting in a running SUV. The kids would jump out of the running vehicle, take 5-10 steps and climb on the bus. In each case, the parent then backed the vehicle back to the house. As I drive into the city, I notice that there are lines of parents driving their kids to elementary school. I don't drive near any of our Junior Highs, I mean Middle Schools. I am sooo passe. I know that recess is often spent indoors and gym is not a required class anymore.
I did not walk miles and miles to school, uphill both ways. I walked 2 blocks to elementary school - Garfield in Moline, IL. and about 10 blocks to junior high - John Deere Middle school now. I attended Moline Sr. High and graduated in 1974. Makes me 53 years old. I sit on my butt most of my working days and consider myself somewhat sedentary. But geeze - I'm an Olympic athlete compared to these kids. Are ya telling me the kids cannot walk down their driveways to catch the bus? It's no wonder that we suffering an epidemic of obesity. What the hell is the deal? Are the kiddies glued to their gamer screens or TV? What's the matter with these parents? Criminy, the kids can walk to the end of their own driveway. Makes me wonder if they are potty trained yet. Do ya still wipe their little bottoms through high school?
Can you tell that I do not have children of my own? I understand that the world has changed in the last 30-40 years. But I think that it is still true - What does not kill you makes you stronger. 99.9% of the time it is true. And believe it or not - you and your kids need to be strong. Life will be easier and better if you are strong. Dealing with adversity and new challenges stretches not only the body, but the mind. It is so.
End of rant for today.
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: fitness kids independence in children
Children need to walk and run outside, play some of the rough games. They will get skinned knees but will not die. Parents need to look at the positive side instead of always seeing the dark side of society.
Reply to this
Our house is right on a lake, which means a wicked cold wind blows up to the house in the winter from that lake. So, at the bottom of our driveway, most mornings there is a gale down there. My husband is fond of recounting many a wretched morning waiting for the bus at the end of the driveway, cowering behind a tree. I asked him if this meant he would be building a school bus shelter (little huts people put up for their kids around here) for our coming child. He said no; he suffered, so will his son.
Guess we won't be raising any soft kids.
Reply to this
AMEN SISTER!!!
Soft kids are everywhere. It's an epidemic. Kids who lack independence and problem solving skills are rampant as well. As a 4th grade teacher, I always knew I was in trouble when Mommy walked their kid to class on the first day and unpacked their backpack for them. YIKES! Call me the bad guy who said, "No way, no how, no MORE!"
I have three kids, and they walk to the nearby bus stop in rain, sleet, and snow...umbrella-less to boot. (Okay, I will admit to picking one daughter up in the afternoons, not to protect her from the elements, but to protect her from the pedophiles. I will let go eventually...Scout's Honor.)
Reply to this