One thought is that parents need to live values that they talk about. Delayed gratification when it comes to things we want/need. We maybe should ask ourselves: Do we, as parents, buy things whenever we want. . .without waiting. Do we model delayed gratification?
As for kids, living in suburbia USA, they get new cars and do not pay for gas or insurance at age 16. And then, if the parents do not do this, my friend mentioned how some kids will then say their parents are stingy, and I am thinking – Oh, my. Here, parents are trying to teach their kids values and not giving them everything and they miss the point.
My parents did not give me everything and taught me the value of work by making me work. I wanted to live on campus when I was working on my undergrad degree at The University of Portland – but my parents lived 7 miles away and said no and I did not have the money. So, I worked the next summer and saved up enough to live on the dorms. Did I learn the value of work. And gratitude.
Kristi and I also talked about building true faith into our children’s lives and mused on the fact that so much in today’s church culture can seem to be watered down for the sake of entertainment. The church seems to sometimes be there to just entertain youth. She mentioned a guy named Paul Washer who is very strong in his belief about the church and how watered down the sermons have become. To tickle ears. . . I need to check it out and evaluate and discern and ask the questions. Are we as a church just trying to be liked and loved and are we just trying to sell books and get people inside our church building.
I love my lunches with Kristi. Always solid food for thought.
[note: originally posted on my WriterMomMusings blog on Nov. 14, 2008]
