But today my beloved boy is barely eight years old so we are a few years off from that reality. Today I get to enjoy discovering life's jungle through his eyes on a daily basis. We get to play, as mother and son; I'm relearning the joys of the jungle through his eyes, and teaching him how to navigate it safely.
Life's jungle holds some very good times for us and our children – yes, even the parts of the jungle that make some of us nervous. Approaching those areas with the confidence that can only come from knowledge and proper preparation can turn the jungle out there into a world of excitement and wonder for us and our children.
Let's not approach the jungle and its unknowns and dangers timidly; let's make it our bitch and teach our kids that embracing life's jungle – the good and the bad, the ugly and beautiful – and making it work for us is how it's done.
Article comments
1 - FCEtier
Welcome to BC, Miko. You've brought up some interesting points. Technology and access to media can be daunting for parents of kids at any age!
In my practice of pharmacy (college town), I deal with 18-22 year olds who cannot make decisions without calling a parent on their cell phone!
To see a generation of young adults still connected to mom via the umbilical cord of a cell phone is disquieting and frustrating. Please encourage today's parents to teach their kids how to make decisions, self-control, and self-discipline!
I enjoyed your article.
2 - Ruvy
Welcome to BC. You raised a number of issues that we did not have to face as parents - fortunately. Our children are only a decade or so older than your son, and already it is a different world.
We used movie tapes to our best advantage. I remember how they loved "The Lion King" and the "Prince of Egypt" and how we milked both for every drop they were worth in terms of training them in issues of responsibility and identity ("The Lion King"), and seeing things from a Divine Eye ("The Prince of Egypt") rather than the narrow view of what they wanted right then and there.
On the other hand, we kept them away from computer games because we wanted them to develop an imagination on their own, without the guidance of programmers hustling America's sick culture in their programming.
In the end, the kids both became computer-savvy, but the training we gave them paid off in the end.
3 - diana hartman
Yes, the idea that parenting a child in today's world with today's resources and challenges by guided exposure is a good one, but the idea that the way the world used to be was somehow easier simply because it was "then" and came without all of today's technology? Not so much. Ask anyone who parented a child before and/or through the Civil Rights movement, for instance, if it was easier back then and you’re likely to see a facial expression that computer animation has yet to genuinely recreate.
The premise of guided exposure is used " and has been used " by those parents brave, knowledgeable and responsible enough to discuss those areas of life that are considerably more dangerous than a childhood rife with technology: drugs, premature and unprotected sex, dating violence, drinking, and so on.
It is a bit bothersome that there is no mention in the article of the child's responsibility to house and home. A child with an age-appropriate chore list simply doesn't have time to sit in front of a game console or television for a worrisome amount of time. The idea that rationing something to a child or keeping it from them entirely would leave the child wanting it an illusion fed to parents who are quick to think “No” equals “I don’t love you.” Telling the child "No" and leaving it at that? Yes, the child made purposefully ignorant will likely want of it. Telling the child "No" and "Here are the facts and here’s what I think it” empowers the child with knowledge and a sense that the parent is not, indeed, woefully behind in their own right.
That said, it is of great comfort that many young parents take their jobs seriously enough to not only set a game plan, but to follow it through to the point of telling others about it. Many parents of yesterday who have seen in their own families and in others’ what happens when there is no plan are grateful and assured that hope does indeed spring eternal.