From the Archives – FREEDOM! WE ALL NEED SOME

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NOTE (2.16.14): I’ve got a lot going on this week so I’m dipping into the archives on a Post I wrote back in July 2013, and I hope it get more diverse attention the second time around-

Today, I’m taking a break from my usual posts to discuss something else that’s been weighing heavy on my heart lately-

There’s been a lot of talk among parental circles, educators, and all in between about why are kids and teens either take life too seriously or not enough, more often it’s not enough.

Lots of parents seem to be of the view that kids today are lazy, screen obsessed entitlement freaks who don’t want tot work hard for their futures.

While there’s truth to that, we also overlook another truth, kids are being pressured to grow up faster at all fronts, and yet we complain when they want to be grown ups fast. Well, we’re creating our own problem on this specific point.

As a both a writer of children’s books, and a education-challenged under 30 “Deadbeat” I know from my own experience that we overlook a lot of issues when we talk about education.

Instead of ranting, I’ll let pictures do my talking for me, but fear not, I’ll have MORE words to say on this topic later.

NOTE: I’m in no way parent-bashing here, I’m not a parent and/or teacher, and for those of you in education from either the parent and/or teacher POV who are doing right by our nation’s youth, understand I say this because I wish there were more of you.

 

More and More Parents see their kids like

this-

Scott_Wilson,_Mena_Popp,_Keith_Long,_Zac_Carter

2009_ESPN_Zone_Chicago_Ultimate_Couch_Potato_Contestant_-_Steve_Janowski_03

Instead of this- 

01_Tristeza

What “Test” is worth feeling like this?

Distant_tragedies_-_Phillip_mourning_the_sinking_of_his_model_boat,_New_Brighton,_Merseyside,_1959_-_Flickr_-_PhillipC

When did school become “God?”

Lost

Does “Sucking at Math” make me less worthy?

man-93951_640

Is this future migraine/ulcer GOOD for me?

 

What parents WANT to see-

Jon_Provost_1964

What they NEED to see – Crying_child_with_blonde_hair

“Mommy, you work a second job to make money, what am I getting out of pre-k and first grade becoming my “second job?” that I don’t get paid for.”

 

 

 

sad-72216_640

“Dad, I may not have to walk 100 miles to get to school like you did in the “Once upon a time Olden days” , but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier for me, either.”

 

They’ll NEVER get here-

University_Park_MMB_I7_Graduation

312px-MplsMTMstatue

USMC-12062

The_Turtles

Group_951

Winter-wedding-20120203-001

AT_CALGGETT_MEMORIAL_HOSPITAL-WALTER_SOLON_MOYER_III,_THE_FIRST_BABY_OF_THE_NEW_YEAR,_AND_HIS_MOTHER_-_NARA_-_552638

Father_with_his_first_baby_at_first_sight

 

If they Burnout Here-

School's_Out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adults of the World, I URGE you to hear

this plea: We CAN’T let this-

Recession_2008

 

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Poor_kids_on_holi_festival

Destroy THIS-

Family_pet

Flickr_-_eflon_-_Father_and_Son

Mother_and_Son_(8151579343)

Family_Fun

 

FOREVER…

 

 

Kids, Parents, Educators, and all those in-between: What do you think?

Please have the courage and heart to share in the comments below.

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  • My daughter is in first grade and the math they are expected to do baffles me. She’s doing algebra, geometry, and fractions. She came home with logic puzzles the other day where the problems were all out of order. She struggled and I tried to help her, but she couldn’t do it without help. I told her she did just fine because I can’t see why a six year old needs to be able to do this. Even simple addition and subtraction is timed, which just puts more stress on kids. I hate it. It’s stressful for her and me.

    • Thanks for stopping by, Kelly.

      I know kids and teens need challenge, but ultimatums aren’t the only way to teach, and isn’t the best way for everything.

      We have to be flexible and open to avoid unhealthy surrender.

      Sometimes, I fear some parents and educators forget what it’s it like to be who they’re trying so hard to serve in the first place, and the incompetent ones often demonized on the news blind and overshadow those parents and educators like you who are trying so hard to do right by the kids they serve.

      Who are going above and beyond their basic job descriptions, and for educators being hyper-evaluated especially. That’s nothing short of I CARE DANG IT!

      While some kids and teens truly thrive on challenge, others just need more time, and that doesn’t ALWAYS mean they’re academically handicapped to chronically dangerous extremes.

      I just wish more people could except that not all kids take to the “Boot Camp” model.

      WHICH DOESN’T MEAN THEY’RE LAZY AND DON’T WANT TO LEARN! PERIOD.

      I hope your daughter won’t get broken by academics while still doing the best she can do. #TheLiteraryRat roots for you both, Kelly!