My son Jacob is one of the sweetest children I know. Of course I am biased, but seriously, if you've met Jacob, you would probably agree that he just has a sweeter-than-average disposition. I'm not saying that he's wimpy, or girly, or anything like that. He likes to wrestle and get dirty and play with trucks as much as the next boy. And I'm also not saying that he's perfect. But he is considerate, and empathetic, and kind. In that regard, he seems to be one of a relative few, and I wonder what to do about it.
Because of course, Jacob has met with a lot of bullies. He's encountered a lot of overly aggressive kids, who are quick to take advantage, or be mean or rude or selfish or hurtful. And he's encountered them everywhere: on the playground, on the soccer field, at Cub Scouts, even at church. These are kids who don't take turns, who don't share, who don't play fair, who don't understand about cooperation or generosity or give-and-take.
Are we not supposed to be teaching our children these values anymore? Are these attributes no longer valued at all? We've just tried to instill in our children the importance of being a good person, a nice person. Basically, we're teaching them the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What more could we ask for our children, what other attributes could make us more proud?
I'm glad that the first topics of our new children's church program will be about the Fruit of the Spirit. I believe we could all use more reminders, more instruction about these Christ-filled traits. But meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out what to say to my son, who doesn't understand why his friend insisted that they trade Bakugons, Jacob's two for his one. Or why the kid at Cub Scouts "hogged" the rubber band airplane and wouldn't take turns.
I am trying to encourage Jacob that it's okay to stand up for yourself, to speak up when something isn't right, and to be thicker-skinned when things go wrong. But I wish these lessons weren't so bruising.
I don't know why other kids are just plain mean. I didn't understand it when I was a kid and I don't understand it now. But I do know why my kid is nice. Hopefully that's all that will matter in the end.
Because of course, Jacob has met with a lot of bullies. He's encountered a lot of overly aggressive kids, who are quick to take advantage, or be mean or rude or selfish or hurtful. And he's encountered them everywhere: on the playground, on the soccer field, at Cub Scouts, even at church. These are kids who don't take turns, who don't share, who don't play fair, who don't understand about cooperation or generosity or give-and-take.
Are we not supposed to be teaching our children these values anymore? Are these attributes no longer valued at all? We've just tried to instill in our children the importance of being a good person, a nice person. Basically, we're teaching them the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What more could we ask for our children, what other attributes could make us more proud?
I'm glad that the first topics of our new children's church program will be about the Fruit of the Spirit. I believe we could all use more reminders, more instruction about these Christ-filled traits. But meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out what to say to my son, who doesn't understand why his friend insisted that they trade Bakugons, Jacob's two for his one. Or why the kid at Cub Scouts "hogged" the rubber band airplane and wouldn't take turns.
I am trying to encourage Jacob that it's okay to stand up for yourself, to speak up when something isn't right, and to be thicker-skinned when things go wrong. But I wish these lessons weren't so bruising.
I don't know why other kids are just plain mean. I didn't understand it when I was a kid and I don't understand it now. But I do know why my kid is nice. Hopefully that's all that will matter in the end.
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