Rex Trulove
Most parents who have or who have had pre-teen and teenaged children know that the kids can be a big challenge. That is putting it mildly. It has been stated that you can tell the type of people parents are by observing the behavior of their children. This may seem a little unfair, but it also tends to be true. At the very least, it is possible to tell how good the people are at parenting by watching the behavior of the kids.
Even more poignant in defining the issue are the words of a specific person who said:
“Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers. I despair for the future.”
There is good news in this quote, though. You see, the quote is 2400 years old and was spoken by Socrates. It seems that at least in regard to kids, not much has changed since 400 years before the birth of Jesus. Kids today are the same that they were back then. The tools have changed, but the kids haven’t. This also means that each one of us who are parents once fit the same mold. That is worth remembering. Socrates might have despaired for the future, yet we’ve continued on.
Socrates was a wise man, but he didn’t have all the answers. Still, there are tremendous kernels of truth in some of the things he said. For instance, he also said:
“My advice to you is to get married: If you find a good wife, you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher.”
Note that I’m not a philosopher, though at times I do wax philosophically.
Since I am a leader, A boss and the chief cook and bottle washer, that should say something about my dad, I listened to his words and followed his advice. I am sure he is proud of me now.
I was hell on wheel as a kid.
By keeping this in mind, it is a little easier to accept kids and to gain a little insight in regard to them. People tend to forget how they were when they were kids.
My sister once said not long ago ” she thinks her poop don`t stink” referring to a young lady. I told her she did too at that age 🙂
My mother had a tough time with me. I was resentful after my dad died when I was ten. Then when I hit 13 I agreed with Cyndi Lauper who had not had her big hit yet but I knew that girls just want to have fun. My mom did get lucky that I was basically a love-crazed, teen idol loving, good girl. No drugs and really good and sincere friends who after school turned mom’s apartment into rock central since she worked and was away till evening. We had fun and rock and roll. It was good and it was safe and the other parents were glad to know where we were. Today in this crazy world I would worry about raising children and if I had to do it by myself I would wind up anxiety ridden.
I was also a difficult child. I was one of four kids and was an ‘accident’. Our ages are also spread out. My eldest sister is 14 years older than I am. I’m just thankful that I got to spend the first 12 years living in a national park. That sort of grounded me so I was never into destructive behavior, partying, drugs, or things like that.
Children learn what is around them, they are like a sponge soaking it all up.
That is quite true. If mom and dad badmouth authority and break the law when they know that they are breaking the law, children perceive it and act in kind. Kids also pick up on very complicated things, even from a very young age. Adults underestimate children time and again, and it shows up later in life.