The "big picture"

It seems that today, parents don't keep the "big picture" in mind...what do they hope their children will be like as adults? Industrious, hard-working, good citizens, responsible? Or petulant, lazy, unmotivated with a "me, first" attitude?

If parents want their children to grow up to be responsible citizens, hard-working and an asset to society, many of you are going about it the wrong way. Giving kids too much, when they want it, and you're liable to raise kids with a "gimmee" attitude, and thankless to boot. Kids who do not learn to delay gratification and work for what they want, saving for what they want, grow up to expect a paycheck just for showing up. They expect the best, without having to work for it.

Think ahead to what kind of adult you want your children to be. And then chart--and stay--the course. Assign them regular responsibilities. Teach them manners, and require them to use them. Dear Parent, a child of 7 or 8 calling his mother a "poopy head" is not funny. Teach them to save by requiring them to save. Don't give them everything that they want. Teach them what wants and needs are. Be a good role model...don't buy things just because someone else does. Volunteer in the community, and have your children do so. If you want them to be kind, treat them with kindness. "You moron!" is not kind.

Think ahead, Dear Parent, because the future is closer than it seems. Think about what kind of adult you want your child to be, and then act accordingly. Keep the big picture in mind. You aren't raisng children, you're raising future adults. You have a responsiblity to your child, and to society.