I was babysitting the other day, and I was reminded of the delightful nature of children. But just when you think they couldn't be any cuter- they wind up and kick you in the shins. I love observing their little carnal natures mixed with true sweetness that an adult can never hope to imitate.
I've also been observing lately that some parents, grandparents, or other close relatives seem to think the way to keep a child happy is to shower them with all sorts of expensive gifts. Though this does serve that purpose for at least 5 minutes or so, many of these kids just become more and more demanding. "I'm booorrreeedd!!!" -is a common quote heard from these children. I feel bad for these kids because they learn to depend on things to entertain themselves instead of using their imaginations to have some truly exciting adventures. This is the reason why kids should not be given everything they want.
I have also observed that when kids are always denied what they want it can be just as detrimental. These are often extreme cases where kids are denied even basic needs like love and food because their parents don't care about them. This has far reaching affects on the emotional and mental health of that kid. It breaks my heart to see situations like that. I also think the second part of this quote can be applied to parents who strictly control all the activities of their children. Although this is not nearly as harsh as ignoring them all the time, I think it still is detrimental to a child's development. For one thing some of my fondest memories as a little kid were when my sisters and I were out roaming the neighberhood with our friends and having all sorts of clubs and adventures and bike races. And for another thing how are kids supposed to be able to think for themselves if they are never allowed to? No matter how much parents want to shelter their children from pain, the best way for most people to learn is through experience.
Anyway, just some random thoughts. And I totally can't wait to see my nephews in 3 days!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Interesting Quote
"Two worse things for a child: 'Always to have their own way or never to have it.'" from The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Bernette
Great thoughts on this quote will follow later.
Great thoughts on this quote will follow later.
Monday, February 11, 2008
My Reactions to the Frigidness
When I was at Starbuck's tonight, I began to think of what I could blog about. My mind began to wander and in its ramblings it struck upon the memory of talking about visiting the Carribean.
Before my trip to Starbucks, I was participating in my normal Monday evening activity which is physical science lab (the equivalent of beating my head against a brick wall). Tonight was not as bad as some nights as far as the lab work was concerned, but the temperature of the room was frigid. This was due to the fact that a window was open and could not be closed because it was jammed, frozen, broken... Who knows? (According to Maslow's hierachy of needs, we should not have had lab because it was so cold some of us undoubtedly were unable to learn.) My friend and lab partner Alvin made some comment about his home in Grenada and the fact that I have been there and then....
I am floating on the crystal blue waves of the Carribean Ocean. With my goggles and snorkel in place, I look like the typical tourist, but I don't care because this is totally awesome. I'm pretty sure they could come up with some sort of therapy that consists of just allowing your body to bob up and down in the waves of clear, warm salt water. I am not a person who generally forms very distinct memories of events in my life, but I will never forget that sensation of being cradled by the waves. Wow!! The sand on the beach was white (or at least it looked really white compared to the beaches on the east coast), and my friends and I had this expanse of beach completely to ourselves. We exposed our very pale selves to the genial sun hoping for that perfect tan in only a weeks time. When that got boring, we began doing beach Olympics which included the long jump, cartwheels, and various other activities.
Why am I rambling about this cherished memory? It is my rebellion against this fearsome weather which we are currently experiencing. Even if it feels like 10 below in Cincinnati at least I have a happy place to go in my mind:)
Before my trip to Starbucks, I was participating in my normal Monday evening activity which is physical science lab (the equivalent of beating my head against a brick wall). Tonight was not as bad as some nights as far as the lab work was concerned, but the temperature of the room was frigid. This was due to the fact that a window was open and could not be closed because it was jammed, frozen, broken... Who knows? (According to Maslow's hierachy of needs, we should not have had lab because it was so cold some of us undoubtedly were unable to learn.) My friend and lab partner Alvin made some comment about his home in Grenada and the fact that I have been there and then....
I am floating on the crystal blue waves of the Carribean Ocean. With my goggles and snorkel in place, I look like the typical tourist, but I don't care because this is totally awesome. I'm pretty sure they could come up with some sort of therapy that consists of just allowing your body to bob up and down in the waves of clear, warm salt water. I am not a person who generally forms very distinct memories of events in my life, but I will never forget that sensation of being cradled by the waves. Wow!! The sand on the beach was white (or at least it looked really white compared to the beaches on the east coast), and my friends and I had this expanse of beach completely to ourselves. We exposed our very pale selves to the genial sun hoping for that perfect tan in only a weeks time. When that got boring, we began doing beach Olympics which included the long jump, cartwheels, and various other activities.
Why am I rambling about this cherished memory? It is my rebellion against this fearsome weather which we are currently experiencing. Even if it feels like 10 below in Cincinnati at least I have a happy place to go in my mind:)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Andvanced Comp
So I'm in a class this semester called Advanced Composition. Sound ominous? So far it hasn't proven to be too horrible. We are reading various essays which is fine with me since I love reading. What's really nice is the brevity and sometimes levity (tacky, i know:) of the essays amid all the long and boring chapters I have to read for other classes. The only catch is that by the end of this semester, I'm going to have to be able to write a 10 page essay. Ahhhhh! Can you believe it?! We barely even have to write 10 page research papers around here and I'm gonna try and come up with 10 pages of material completely unique with me. Needless to say, I'm a little worried about it.
Mr. Profitt tells us that even though essays appear to be random thoughts just strung together at the author's whim, they are, indeed, carefully crafted to appear this way. Bummer! I was thinking I could do this cool stream of consiciousness thing where I write whatever pops into my head for 10 pages. Apparently there actually has to be a rhyme and reason to my madness. So I'm hoping blogging will help me in this dilemma by helping me to learn to write more casually. What I really need help with though is subject matter. So if anybody has any ideas about what I could try my hand at rambling about- please, please give me ideas. I would forever be greatful and I will give you very generous recognition.
Thanks,
Leanna
Mr. Profitt tells us that even though essays appear to be random thoughts just strung together at the author's whim, they are, indeed, carefully crafted to appear this way. Bummer! I was thinking I could do this cool stream of consiciousness thing where I write whatever pops into my head for 10 pages. Apparently there actually has to be a rhyme and reason to my madness. So I'm hoping blogging will help me in this dilemma by helping me to learn to write more casually. What I really need help with though is subject matter. So if anybody has any ideas about what I could try my hand at rambling about- please, please give me ideas. I would forever be greatful and I will give you very generous recognition.
Thanks,
Leanna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
