As a mom and wife who works full-time, it sometimes feels like I am forever serving others. On days when this feeling overtakes me, I too engage in a little “lazy parenting,” where my kids spend significantly more time on their iPads or in front of the television than I would normally deem appropriate. I am sure all parents have days like these! However, I’d like to address how lazy parenting can stretch far beyond these occasional moments of exhaustion in a way that negatively impedes on others. I am not speaking of the kind mentioned above, where the so called parent lazes around while the kids happily play on their devices. What I am hoping to call out is those parents that are not making a conscious effort to take the time to parent their children.
The definition of mother is to give birth to (a child) : to be or act as a mother to (someone) : to care for or protect (someone) like a mother. The definition of father is more vague, defined as a male parent. In the 21st century these roles, for many families, have become one in the same, with fathers having become much more involved in child-rearing. The family unit has evolved and in some cases there are now two moms or two dads. And yet in some families a parent rears solo. Whatever the scenario, the basic idea is to care for them. And the hope is that we achieve this by teaching them to be kind and helpful and instill morals and values in them. By doing this we help guide them on how to be mindful individuals and prepare them to serve as positive contributors in society.
This is what you would imagine people have in mind when they decide to take the journey into parenthood. However, many parents often fall short and become far too distracted with their own needs and desires. This results in children receiving little guidance on how to behave and be respectful of others.
I often witness kids getting away with being unkind and disrespectful, as their parents stand nearby. This covers everything from how a child treats an adult or another child in a given situation or how a child’s behavior in a public place impacts others. It falls on us, the parents, to seize the moment and address the given behavior when it happens. Sadly, it’s not so unusual to see just the opposite. I notice children in restaurants running around or speaking loudly when complete strangers are within ear shot. Where are the parents and why are they completely disengaged you ask? They are consumed in their own pleasures of eating, texting, or conversing with other adults while their kid’s behavior encroaches on others enjoyment. Another scenario — a child mistreats or upsets another child and the parent present completely dismisses the situation because they don’t feel like dealing with it. Yet another example would be in times where a child is being wasteful or being disrespectful to the environment they are in.
by MindMake via MindMake Blog
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