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<\/p>\nYour Kids Should Not Be the Most Important People in the Family<\/p>\n
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This particular article has been around for a while; however, I just read it for the first time via my Instagram feed.\u00a0 \u00a0I can\u2019t stop thinking about Rosemond\u2019s sage words<\/strong>.\u00a0 In fact, I had to read it twice to let the information sink into my brain, and I had to read it two more times before I decided to spotlight it in my blog.\u00a0 (FYI — a link to an easier version for you to read is at the bottom of this article.)<\/p>\n I was born to parents who believed what Rosemond wrote; as a result, my husband and I consciously decided to follow their lead and rear our children with this as a foundation.\u00a0 Yes . . . our children were very important to us.\u00a0 Yes . . we were dedicated to making their lives comfortable, safe and happy.\u00a0 Yes . . . they were very active in the academic, music and athletic arenas and . . . yes . . . \u00a0we rarely missed an event; consequently, our calendar was packed, and we were often over-scheduled to the point of exhaustion.\u00a0 However, our children did not run our<\/em><\/strong> lives \u2013 we guided theirs<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n This article has inspired a flashback from the mid 1980’s when my children were young — “single digits.”\u00a0 My husband and I were at a party; the ages of the guests varied from infant to ninety \u2013 I was in my early thirties at the time.\u00a0 During the festive occasion, many of the mothers were standing around \u2013 chatting \u2013 sipping on wine or beer \u2013 sharing<\/strong> our<\/strong> frustrations and<\/em> our<\/strong> pride<\/strong> as parents.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The comments varied from \u201cHow am I ever going to get my son to study so he can get on the Honor Roll?\u201d \u201cI can\u2019t figure out how to get my kid potty-trained.\u201d \u201cMy children never listen to me.\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s the secret to getting my toddler to sleep through the night?\u201d \u201cMy child walked at ten months.\u201d \u201cMy daughter was state champion in cross country.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cMy kid was Student of the Month in the fifth grade.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cMy kid was out of diapers before she was two-years-old.\u201d\u00a0 And the chatter went on and on until one mother said in an exasperated tone, \u201cBeing a parent is so hard \u2013 I never know if I\u2019m doing it right.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n It was this final comment that motivated an elderly gentleman to speak for the first time.\u00a0 I did not recognize the man nor do I remember his name; however, his<\/strong> insightful<\/strong> words<\/strong> echoed<\/strong> inside<\/strong> of<\/strong> my<\/strong> head<\/strong> for the remainder of my child rearing years.<\/p>\n He looked at the woman who had made the last statement and calmly responded, \u201cYou will not know if you have been a successful parent until your child is a grown up and he or she has become a good citizen.\u201d\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Everyone was quiet for approximately three seconds as they processed his declaration.\u00a0 Then, they blew him off.\u00a0 He quietly walked away.<\/p>\n “Are you kidding?”\u00a0 The women clamored.\u00a0 “What does being a good citizen <\/em><\/strong>have to do with anything regarding parenting?”\u00a0 Others agreed, “We want our children to be successful, top of the class, all-star athletes, stellar leaders, talented musicians and receive college scholarships.”\u00a0 I wondered \u2013 privately \u2013 if, perhaps, we all believed our children\u2019s accomplishments were a reflection upon us.<\/strong><\/p>\n I may not remember that fellow\u2019s name, but I have never forgotten<\/strong> his<\/strong> wisdom<\/strong>. \u00a0From that day forward, I made a conscious effort to keep that stranger\u2019s judicious statement in the forefront of my day.\u00a0 It resonated with me.\u00a0 After several decades, Rosemond\u2019s article brought it back to the surface.<\/p>\n The parenting journey isn\u2019t about how successful your child is while he or she is living under your roof \u2013 instead, it is about laying the groundwork for your child to be independent, self-motivated, and a productive member of society because once your child is launched from the security of your home, it is up to him or her to find his or her way in life, to be productive and to give back to society — or in other words \u2013 to be a good citizen.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n The article might be a little difficult to read on your iPhone; as a result, I have included a link.<\/p>\n https:\/\/lacrossetribune.com\/lifestyles\/relationships-and-special-occasions\/john-rosemond-your-kids-should-not-be-the-most-important\/article_e61f4a20-c15e-53c6-ba51-e86af16ab957.html<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook:\u00a0 https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/booksbytesajones\/<\/a><\/p>\n Check it out on AMAZON<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram:\u00a0 https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/take2withtesa\/<\/a><\/p>\n Goodreads:\u00a0 https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/1690353.Tesa_Jones<\/a><\/p>\n Pinterest:\u00a0 https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/cobwebsoftime\/<\/a><\/p>\n View all BLOG posts at http:\/\/www.booksbytesajones.com\/category\/blog\/<\/a>
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