Sunday, December 07, 2008

Who Is the Teacher? 

Are children to learn from adults?
Or would it be wiser to let children teach us to be adults?
Our behavior is a more powerful teaching than our words. When we say and do different things, it is confusing to others, both adults and children.
Let’s look at where kids are not getting how to be respectful, responsible and cooperative.
Let’s look at where all children learn their behavior.
Let’s take responsibility for what we see in our families and schools, our streets and stores.
Let’s be prepared to set the example and teach what we want to be in our world.

Kids are taught to say “Please” and “Thank you” and “Excuse me”.
Are adults remembering to always say “Please” and “Thank you.” and “Excuse me.”?
Children are told to never interrupt.
How often do adults interrupt children in conversation for phone calls or chores?
Children are supposed to be honest and tell the truth.
Do parents tell fibs and teach kids to not tell anyone……….?
Children are taught to eat all their vegetables and not junk foods.
Do parents eat all their vegetables and stop eating non-nutritional foods?
Children are expected to do their best in school and with home chores.
Do their parents and adults always give their best and not take shortcuts?
Children are encouraged to be kind to others and not be mean.
Do they see adults being kind and never being mean to others?
Children are told to be helpful to their parents and their elders.
Do they have parents and teachers being helpful to them when they ask?
Children are taught to never hurt others or be cruel.
Do the adults they see and on the news hurt and kill and do cruel things?
Children are told to save their money, at least some of it.
Do the adults in their lives save their money regularly?
Children are taught to take turns and be fair.
Do their parents wait in turn patiently and be fair to others?
Children are told to not talk back or yell at their parents.
Do the parents talk back to each other and yell at their kids?
Children are told to pay attention and listen.
Do the adults in their lives pay attention and listen to kids?
Children are told to not use alcohol or drugs, but they see and hear adults do…….??????

The way we build the world we want is from teaching one another by how we behave everywhere.
The children we raise are learning from us now to lie or be honest, to help or harm, to care or ignore.
We are teaching our children exactly what we don’t want them to become by the example we give.
It must be very difficult and confusing to be a child in today’s world.

Maybe they are learning the lesson of entitlement from adults?
“When you grow up to be an adult, you get to do whatever you want.”

Let’s clean up our act, and act like the adults we want our children to be!
I am reminding us all to set the example and “Walk our talk!”

Children deserve to be appreciated for their kind and honest ways.
Children deserve to be praised for trying to be helpful and fair.

Children deserve to be seen for the Good they do everyday.
Children naturally want to love and be lo
ved for Who they are.
Let’s love the children and learn how to really Love.

Loving you,
Betty Lue

Harper and Lila, now 3 1/2 yrs and Beckett, now 2 years old decorated the bottom half of their Christmas tree with the help of Grandma and Grandpa.
They each waiting while one at a time they placed their decorations. Those hats were from Their first Christmas photo. And Harper suggested we put it on top of the tree...so we did! Very Creative!
It was fun and helpful and creative and very special!
And then we read the new Christmas and Channukah books.