Why I think being a parent today is harder than ever...

one word:

Electronics.

I'm sure throughout the ages each generation has had to deal with a new set of challenges, but I don't think you ever heard Mrs Ingalls telling Laura to "put the slate down and go outside to play."  I don't think the kids ever had to hear, "Hold on, let me finish this post to Aunt Jenny then I'll get dinner going."



It's awfully hard to keep your family safe, not just from those in your community, but literally from the entire world. (Don't call Captain Literally on me--cause it's literally true!)






Keeping up with the Joneses has now become keeping up with the Thompsons, the Mitchells, the Morenos, the Ongs, the Medinas. You can never do enough, have enough, be talented enough. When is enough enough?




We have all these great modern conveniences, yet we never seem to have extra time. Where does all that time go? What stops us from looking around to notice the messy kitchen, the dirty laundry, the lawn too long? How often do we get off the devices and spend some time with our kids? 



How cool is it that we get to connect with people all around the world? We can find answers and information at the tip of our fingers. Yet these blessings come with a dark side. It means that we must be vigilant parents at all times. We have to be prepared and prepare our children, not for what may come, but for what WILL come. Don't give up, and don't bury your head. Stand up and be a parent!

Make a Difference

I considered writing my blog about gay marriage because it has been in the spotlight all week, but I decided that just about everything there is to say about the subject has already been said. That's when I stumbled onto this story on NPR.

The entire story is about 30 minutes long. I cut it down to 5, so please listen (it is not a video, just audio). I promise it is worth every minute; it will bring tears to your eyes.

This story is about a group of children taken to a Japanese concentration camp during WWII. These kids had been at a school when the troops invaded and they were taken to the camp with their teachers, the fate of their parents unknown. The teachers did their best to help the children through this tough time and one of the things they did was continue their Girl Scout (known as Girl Guides outside the US) troop activities inside the camp.

Listen to the story told by an 80-year-old women who was one of those Girl Scouts.

In this world full of hate, fear and misunderstanding, it’s stories like this that show the resilience of the human spirit. No matter the circumstances surrounding us, we can be who we choose. You can make a difference.