Monday, February 05, 2007
"Children See, Children Do"
I'd like to focus some posts this week on families. We'll be covering a few things like parenting, marriage, and traits of healthy families this week.
I want to start the week off with a powerful video. Since we are such visual learners it makes videos, such as this, a great teaching tool. Watch, think and learn from this.
Warning: Violent Content
How does this video make you feel? As a parents or grandparent, what are your children seeing in You?
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Happy Birthday, big Sis ... It's 47 Today!
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I know some are keeping up with the sermons. "Winning the Spiritual Super Bowl" is done. Click here to listen to it (or sleep through it).
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17 Comments:
Liked the video. With both of my children grown, I think we need to remember that parents aren't the only adults children learn from. All of us are called to be examples.
Just a thought,
Peace and Prayers,
Neva
The video was very disturbing, not only because of the content, but because of the message it sends to us as adults. As adults, whether we like it or not, our children as well as other children and sometimes even other adults, imitate everything we do. People imitate our actions more than anything we ever say. What a great reminder of that. Thanks for sharing.
Whoa. That commercial exhibits the extremes to me, but it's an appropriate reminder to always be a good example for my kids.
Sometimes it's easy for us to see where kids get their temperaments when their own parents are scratching their heads and wondering, "where did this kid come from?"
When my 5-yr-old speaks a bit harshly to his younger brother and it's obvious he's repeating something I've said, I think, "I'd better work on that." And we'd better figure that out while they're young, rather than wondering why our 15-yr-old is rude and disrespectful to their peers and elders alike.
Wow! That was powerful. My mom has always kept a poster on her daycare wall that reads:
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
Thanks for the reminder and that is a very powerful one.
Trey,
I liked last week's video better. It was much less indicting. Yes, our children watch and emulate. It is tempting to excuse our behavior pointing to situations or factors that may have an influence.
For some time Kathy discourage our traveling to larger metropolitan areas. I partly learned to drive in the rushed pace of a big city (and partly on farm equipment). A few years ago I realized that it is just as easy to see road rage on a two lane country road as in the city. Being tired, claiming the need to drive aggressively or blaming it on testoterone isn't helpful. We must "live self-controlled, upright godly lives in this present world".
James
They do watch. If I have been in a bad mood and short tempered with the kids, they are likely to act the same way. Yes, I am guilty.
However, I am also guilty of controlling my temper and saying I am sorry. If we remember they immitate both the good as well as the bad, then maybe we will exaggerate the good so they know this is something they should do.
My son is the defender of all on the playground. Yes he has been in a few scraps for it, but I think it is because he has seen me take up for the underdog at home. Also, they need to learn the process of making things right and not just throwing an unthoughtful sorry at the situation. The best way for them to learn it is by seeing us do it.
Kathy
To be a bit theological about it, I ask, "Whose image do you bear?" Image bearing is empowered by spirit, but whose spirit?
The video is gripping. Thanks for sharing.
Many blessings...
I know the video shows the "extremes," but sometimes that's what it takes to get our attention.
HERE'S A THOUGHT: I'd love to see someone remake the video from a "good" point of view. You know have mom reading her bible in her chair and the little one sitting in her lap or by her chair doing the same thing. Dad praying and his son in the back ground doing the same thing. A son helping a person with some food because that's what he's seen his dad doing. A daughter lending her car because she's seen that in her parents.
Make sense?
If you think this video is extreme, you need to open your eyes at malls, sporting events and other heavily populated areas. These used to be very rare occurrences, now they are becoming more the rule.
When children are growing up, they mimic everything said and done by the parents; they are the true "Mini Me's". Keep you're focus on Christ, walk with Him daily and never be afraid to tell your children, "I was wrong."
Monalea... good thoughts ... especially on the sporting events. I know where I live sometimes the parents act more like children than the children.
Trey,
It makes me sad, but it tells an everlasting truth - Children are smal video cameras taking in every bit of life and action.
The greater part of me is tearful I have not seen that on TV. It needs to be there; over and over and over and over.
WOW!
Trey, that is a very WOW video... eye opening. Thanks for posting it. Yes, as Liz says, it is disturbing ... but a needed disturbance.
How sad. I see kids at school acting things out and saying things and they haev no idea why they do it. It's only because they've seen mom or dad or some other adult in the house do it or say it. It's bad out there. I had no idea how bad until I started working in the school system.
Trey,
I would love to hear from Monalea, would you, could you give her my email? Please?
nevaecooper@yahoo.com
Thanks
Neva
Trey,
It really makes us think. Someone mentioned sporting events and when I first graduated from HS I worked as a ref in baskebtall and an ump in baseball for the Virginia High School League. when summer came I would ump american legion ball as well as little league....the kids were great...I had parents come at me with everything. I wonder now that a lot of those kids are older and probably have families what kind of example they are setting. Seems someone is always watching us even when we least expect it.
Bobby
Truly disturbing.
Disturbingly true.
Just to clarify my point ... I used the word "extremes" because it's extreme for my particular situation. My kids aren't going to see me smoking, hitting someone, drinking, etc., so it's extreme for me, but I agree that it is what was needed to make a powerful point, & it succeeded with me. So, anyway, just wanted to let you know that I didn't disagree with the video or with what anyone else said.
Lisa ... no need to explain ... and no offense was taken in any way. We understood what you were saying. No worries :)
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