Forefront Families

There are children who have experienced hardships all their lives. It hasn’t taken a recession to change their lifestyle or their attitudes. They have had to face reality and responsibility all along. Yet, for most children living in a state of plenty, these are rough times. They may put their hand out to their parents and say, “Gimme”, but there may be nothing to give. They may not get what they ask for. Some are mortified and feel the world isn’t being fair to them, while others go into a comatose state of disbelief.

            Why do our children act this way? Perhaps it is because we are an indulgent society. Most children today have not experienced having to work really hard to get what they want. On a recent TV program young people were asked how the recession was affecting them. An eighteen-year-old girl felt indignant that she had to take on a job to help support the family. Another girl, seventeen years old, said she had to grow up too fast and cannot play much any more. Yet another girl was asked what was good about the recession. Her reply reinforced her material attitude when she stated, “Better sales.”

            It seems as if our current generation has not been equipped to handle tough times.  It’s not their fault! It is our oversight as parents, not believing that our position in life can so easily be changed. Would you not agree that so many of us have tried to give our children the good life, but have not taught them how to handle change? Maybe we have never experienced tough times ourselves. How is it possible to know what to do if life hasn’t taught us this lesson?

            Our kids seem shocked that they have to take on responsibilities. They have not had to think of anything else except their own tiny cloistered world. I believe the recession is placing many kids where they should have been all along. As parents we need to be figuring out how we can use the current change in society to teach our children some very valuable life lessons. I believe such training will fit this generation to survive and serve society in a way they would not have done otherwise.

            This is a time to model making good choices and to train our children to use sound judgment. It provides an opportunity to teach fiscal responsibility. I would suggest that you develop family meetings to discuss the issues arising from this nation’s struggles to restructure and come to terms with its problems. Help your children understand what is going on and discuss how the family might respond positively. Let’s get excited about how a negative turn in the economy can be used to teach our kids to be responsible, outward-focused, mature individuals equipped to live life to its fullest.

            The recession is providing many opportunities to reach out to families that are needy. Most people did not cause their own demise, and unemployment was not the result of laziness. If we, as parents, discuss with our children how we can serve some needy people and do it, we will set a legacy in place that will be an example for our children to live by. Jesus said, “If you give a cup of water in my name it’s as if you did it to me.”

            There’s enough doom and gloom going around at the moment. Let’s be positive and grateful for the opportunities we have and the blessings we are showered with.