We’re spending a lot more time with our children at the moment. Perhaps during a critical time of their childhood. They’re as confused as we are and are looking to us for guidance. The parenting we display is so important. This is by no means a judgement on other people’s parenting skills, but this evening I witnessed something that really annoyed me.
What Happened?
We live opposite a school and it’s the first day that schools are trying to reopen to more pupils since they closed back in March. They’ve got enough on their plate, wouldn’t you agree? But this afternoon I witnessed a family turn up outside the school, climb the fences and proceed to have a picnic on the grass. I have no real issue with this. As they enjoyed sunning themselves and the shade of the trees, the kids started picking up the cones which have been laid out on the edges of the pavements into the playgrounds to help keep people two metres apart when dropping children off. They were just throwing them about the place. The parents did nothing. Then, after maybe 90 minutes they got up and left, leaving behind all their rubbish. All the plastic bottles they’d drank from, sandwich packets they’d eaten out of, just junk everywhere. Blowing about in the wind.
Parenting = Guidance
I went outside and shouted over, asking if they were going to take it with them. The mother said yes, then proceeded to climb over the fence, help her kids over and once the dad had climbed over, they went to their car and drove off. This parenting isn’t giving those children a chance. The next generation are looking at us for guidance. They’re the ones who are going to help progress the world. But if they see their parents leaving rubbish on a field, they’ll likely do the same. If they see their parents lying to the face of a stranger, they’ll do the same. Our parenting is so important and we need to realise that. I am by no means a perfect father, but I would never do that. These are the moments where we can guide our children properly into their future. If they see their mum and dad not being bothered, they won’t care either. Good luck to the future generations with parenting like I witnessed today. To give them a chance, we must step up!
