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Friday, April 16, 2004

It Might Be Time to Talk to Your Children ... 

This article about a 17 year old is nothing short of scary. CNN reports that the child tried to hire a hit man to kill his mother because of family problems.

EVEN WORSE--HE ACTUALLY TOLD THE UNDERCOVER COP TO MAKE SURE NOT TO DAMAGE THE TV.

We really need to get a hold on our kids and correcting them when you can still lift them (i.e. a toddler) will make your life much easier than trying to establish rules, authority, and respect in them as teenagers!!


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Tuesday, April 13, 2004

The World Through a Child's Eyes 

In all my study about children and their families, I hope that I never forget the wonder with which children discover the world around them.

My wife and I had the opportunity to keep a friend's 3-year-old on Friday night. (With his parents' permission) We took him to essentially a Service of Darkness that a local Methodist church does. The entire evening is filled with sounds and sights and a dramatic recreation of the hours before the crucifixion of Jesus. (It is not at all a graphic representation i.e. The Passion of Christ.) The service proceeds from a marketplace type setting in their gym to the Crucifixion in the sanctuary (which is very dark).
In the marketplace the child enjoyed the sights, sounds, and feels (e.g. modeling clay to represent a pottery shop). However, most interesting to me were his questions and experience once we were in the sanctuary. It was amazing to see him attend to the atmosphere and keep his voice and body movements small. He also asked questions about the actors emotions--trying to identify them. At the end of the service, we sang a hymn and left (silently), it was interesting to watch him enjoy the song and try to maintain the atmosphere around us.

I hope that you remember how amazing the world is around us and see it once again through the eyes of a child. Also if you are a parent remember that children are seeing this world for the first time, take the time to share their experiences. Not only will you get the chance to spend these eye-opening moments with your child, but you may be surprised about what you start noticing.
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Easter isn't even safe... 

I was amazed to read the following cnn article on a easter egg hunt in Michigan. If you don't know by now, children participating in a church easter egg hunt at a local elementary school found 2 loaded guns and a bb gun. Although the incident itself was appalling, I was more distressed when I read that someone (I think probably one of the children) picked up one of the guns--which was inadvertently dropped and went off. It is amazing that no one was hurt.

In no way am I saying that we should abolish the second amendment, however, I am suggesting that we as adults take more time and responsibility in teaching our children about guns. Not only should we use the safety devices available to us, but take the time to talk to children about your gun if they ask questions. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT HIDING YOUR GUN OR AMMO IS NOT A VALID WAY OF SECURING YOUR GUN AND PROTECTING YOUR CHILD. Children have a wonderful way of finding the things that we try to hide.

Whether you choose to own a gun or not, please talk to your children about the above scenario and what they should do.
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