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November 09, 2007
deja vu sort of
We have full cable right now and Stephen loves to watch Scooby Doo on Cartoon Network in the mornings. I have decided I don't like C.N. They are different than the Disney Channel or PBS because they play all the toy commercials. Every time the commercials come on my kids start up a chorus of "I want that" each trying to egg the other on to yell louder and jump higher while saying it. I am quite sure that I must have done the same thing when I was little. Commercials really haven't changed much since we were little. The hotwheels and baby doll commercials all seem very familiar and can bring up that deja vu sort of feeling. Only now as a parent I want all the different things for my kids that I know they would enjoy instead of for myself. There is nothing wrong with them wanting stuff. We all want stuff. But as a parent it gives me a sort of sick feeling inside because I know there are very important lessons that I need to be teaching them concerning all the "wants." Lessons like being grateful for what we already have and realizing how hard Daddy works for us to have the things we have. Or how much other people love us and that they are sharing that love when they give us something. Lessons like not everybody gets everything they want. And lots of people don't have anything. That the ultimate gift has already been given and even if we have nothing we still have everything. And that when we look out for and give to others we are doing it unto the Lord Jesus. Lessons like delaying gratification and that we can't just go to "Ma-Mart" right then and there and get whatever they want just because they want it and it is so cool and but, Mom...
You see everything differently when you are a parent. I now see advertising companies and all the companies producing everything as out to get me and make my life more difficult through my kids. Just kidding, well sort of. They aren't out to get me, just my money. And they are going through my kids. And they don't care if the only lesson my kid learns is to open another credit card and always have everything they want the second they want it.
I want to give my kids toys and things that I know they will derive hours of endless entertainment out of, but I also want to give my kids a correct perspective. That is the hard part. When commercials come on and they are yelling, "I want that" I am searching for the correct responses to that. The responses that will teach their little hearts to be grateful, patient, and content. I have seen children whose parents have taught them this and they can walk through a toy store w/o their kids having a meltdown. My kids aren't that bad, but still I just want to make sure they get it and I'm not sure how to do that. And really, do I really get it?
Lord, grant me the grace to be content and grateful for the things I have. You have blessed us with blessings too numerous to count. And grant me the creativity, patience, and grace to teach these important lessons to my kids.
Mommy angst , Parenting , Pop Culture | By adrienne | 03:18 PM
Comments
I know just how you feel! Something that really bugs me is to hear the kids say, "I want that." It just sounds so demanding. Whenever I heard them tell me what I taught them to say, it didn't seem so, well, covetous. "I LIKE THAT." Simple, to the point, and not so demanding.
Posted by: Rhonda at November 15, 2007 07:57 PM