If only we could keep it simple, I bet we would find that illusive “HAPPINESS.”
I will be the first to admit I can get caught up in the complexities of life.
It is hard to avoid when everything around us reinforces the need to become wealthier, smarter, more competitive and more successful.
In fact, my oldest son so well illustrated this when he requested a lap top computer for High School graduation. My husband and I were a little taken aback, given the cost, and his response was that this was “standard protocol” (and, he is not a spoiled kid).
To our surprise, we have come to learn that this really is the case.
In a wonderful article on RAISING KIDS WITH THE RIGHT VALUES, (PARENTING MAGAZINE, March, 2006), Paula Spencer identifies the following values as most important:
INDIVIDUALITY, INDEPENDENT THINKING, HUNGER, POSSIBILITY AND HUMOR. (we will return to these again)
She defines HUNGER as “not having life handed to me on a silver platter and every heart’s desire made readily available.” I could not agree more.
So many parents I know pride themselves on giving their children whatever they want and find it so hard to say “No.” My husband and I have never fallen into this category. Partly due to the realities of life, but more importantly, because teaching our children the value of working hard and appreciating what they get has always been a priority.
When we took a big family vacation to Alaska, we started a fund a year before that we all contributed to by making small sacrifices and putting the money we saved into a big Bear Cookie jar. It was a wonderful lesson for us all and an opportunity to learn about giving up something to strive for a bigger goal. (We actually saved over $1,000-No bad, eh!)
CREATIVE CHALLENGE; TAKE SOME TIME AND IDENTIFY WHAT VALUES YOU BELIEVE IN AND WHAT YOU HOPE TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN
Ask your spouse to do the same and compare lists. This could begin a wonderful dialogue about creating the family that you really value.
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