You raised your brother and your niece? Wow. You sound like a professional mother.

And yes, I can see where they need a little push — it’s very important for them to have the experience of following through on things. The joy of growth pain.

Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad you come to visit me.
ari

After raising my little brother, my niece, two step children and now my own…I have learned that we must teach them everything we can possible fit in. My children learn at school and I sometimes reteach at home. I stay on top of the grades, etc. I am cutting the ropes a bit with my teen but I think I have given him a good foundation. Some things do not come naturally to children and some things do. I think for each child it is different. I chose early on to “expose” my children to music, sports, art, and anything I could possibly find to fill voids in their life. Some voids are good but I feel that “inspiration” is very needed in children. Just that little push.

So far, I have made it to 14 with my oldest son. He loves music, sports, school…but I have failed to touch on spiritual growth as much as I should have. I am not just talking about “God” but the connection with himself. We are working on this. I think I could start an entire blog on this alone.

Well, as you can see I had a great deal to say. I must move along to read what you have written while I have been gone.

You are a wonderful person, writer and soul.

Tammy Warren´s last blog post..My Attentive Heart…do you have one?

Now, that sounds like it comes from a personal experience.
It is rather surprising how much real life stuff is missing from formal education, isn’t it? But then, at med school or law school, I think they just teach their subject matters — if you plan to start your own law practice, you’ll have to get your small business skills elsewhere. But wouldn’t it make sense to have that resource available at schools?

ari

~ Kristi

Kikolani | Poetry, Photography, Blogging Tips´s last blog post..Sunset in a Cloudy Sky

Well, I think people answered it from multiple angles. Some focused more on what we want to pass on to our children, while others wrestled with the forcing aspect. All very valid points.

I agree with everything you said. I am a big believer in questioning and problem-solving as well. I like teachers and mentors who do more asking than telling. We’re more engaged when we’re trying to answer or solve something.

ari

Welcome to OBV! Thanks for honoring me with your comment.

I do think we need to be intentional about instilling those virtues in children, and the best way is to live them ourselves.

ari

How old is your kid? Sounds like you’re in the blunt of baby-raising. My heart goes out to you. My son just started his “terrible two.” My heart goes out to my wife.
ari

I agree that forcing children to do anything doesn’t sound very good — but as a parent myself, I can tell you that I do, and there are some things I do. In a future post I’ll share how my wife and I are going about it — I think it’ll make more sense to you once I explain myself better.

But yes, at the bottom, this much is true: forcing is not ideal, and is to be avoided if at all possible.

ari