Bike Accident Boo-Boo

Sep 032014
 

 

 

Torn front wheel of a bicycle after a crash wi...

Torn front wheel of a bicycle after a crash with a car (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

I was packing for a trip with the TV on in the background.  Instead of heading to bed early so I could be fresh for my trip, I stayed up to jot some thoughts about a  bike accident.

Were there flames, fatalities or drama?  On the surface there was nothing unusual about the incident.  Or so it seemed at first.  A young boy was riding his bike, hit a pothole, fell off and broke his wrist. He had a bike accident and his Mom is suing the city.

[Tweet “Were there flames, fatalities or drama?”]

When asked why the city should be held responsible she replied “Hellooooo.”  That was the entire comment.

Of course I feel for any child with a broken bone — it hurts. It’s unfortunate. And I understand parents feeling angry when children suffer: those feelings are normal and natural. And of course cities and towns should to their best to make necessary road repairs.

Kids fall off of bicycles and get hurt. It happens: neither riding a bike nor conquering gravity are particularly easy skills to master. But a broken wrist in not a fatality. Painful? Inconvenient? Scary? Sure — so are lots of opportunities for growth.

Intended or not, actions have consequences — even driving our bikes in unexpected directions.

Have you ever been frustrated by making repeated requests about basic chores or responsibilities?  Laundry that doesn’t make it to the hamper?  Book bags that don’t get cleaned out?  Toys that aren’t put away?

At that point some parents are able to let certain laundry go undone, permission slips unsigned and toys “‘go missing.”  It’s generally an effective way to stop nagging and help kids connect the dots between the request and the consequence of not following through.

However there parents who offer to serve detention for their kids and even one who drove the get-away car for her “baby’s” robbery…  sometimes parental love gets in the way of more rational thinking!

[Tweet “Sometimes parental love gets in the way of more rational thinking!”]

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P.S.  I think extreme examples can be useful in checking our own decisions so  I’ve got a collection of old news articles here. They’ve sparked some lively conversations in parenting groups.  (And, please, if you’ve got one to add, send me the link!  I love this crazy collection.)

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking Like a Brat

Aug 272014
 

Think about the last frustrating interaction you had with another adult.  Can you think of a time you were expecting an adult interaction but instead ran into something like a tantrum?

Actually, forget about ‘another’ adult:  how do you feel about yourself when you miss a deadline, mouth a flimsy excuse for sub-par behavior or otherwise abandon your best self?  When you act or think like a brat?

 

English: Jogging with dog at Carcavelos Beach ...

English: Jogging with dog at Carcavelos Beach Português: Fazendo jogging com o cão na Praia de Carcavelos (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

[Tweet “How do you feel when you abandon your best self?”]

For many of us, even though the calendar says we’re grown up, there are times that we’re just brats.  We want what we want when we want it.  We whine and point fingers instead of taking responsibility.  Kids throw tantrums;  “adults” complain.

Think about how many personal problems are escalate when we:

  • want something for nothing
  • deny consequences of our actions
  • refuse to be accountable

I’ve struggled with diet and exercise for… well just about as long as I can remember.  After being a  “yo yo-er” for years, I learned to prioritize the right fuel for my health.  But time and again, I get to a comfortable balance with food and exercise and then… that ‘something for nothing’ mentality creeps back in: I can take ‘just one’ workout off, can’t I?  Next comes the ‘need’ to relieve some stress with a little bit of chocolate, right?  And, of course I don’t bother to ‘tell on myself” (especially to myself) the first time I do any of this.  I’m a brat.  I want what I want when I want it.

That’s probably why I care so much about helping parents provide their kids with a strong foundation… to help express the unconditional love we have for our kids through instilling basic, practical life skills and attitudes.

After all, isn’t knowing the ‘cost’ of a choice part of making an informed decision?

I’m off to get dressed for exercise class now.

[Tweet “Isn’t knowing the cost of a choice part of making an informed decision?”]

 

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Family Stories

Aug 202014
 

Today’s guest author is my 16-year-old “bonus son” who has spent another summer with us, creating more new “family stories and legends.”
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My name is Luis. I am half-German and half-American. I grew up in Berlin, Germany and, of course, spoke only German. Even though my Dad speaks only English, we had good visits when I was growing up: I got to see his world in the U.S. and he got to see some of Berlin. We had a strong connection but no direct, untranslated verbal communication.

Like all kids in Berlin, I started learning English in the 3rd grade. I never felt like being lazy about it. I wanted to communicate directly with my Dad. Even though I had not yet met all of them, knowing that I had a large, extended American family gave me even more motivation and discipline.

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[Tweet “My desire to know my American family has been important in developing my love of language.”]

Learning a new language meant — and still means — entering a whole new world. All the experiences that come with being immersed in another culture become both easier and more intense.

My extended American family did not know me either and they did not help with my actual studies but the desire to know them has been important in developing my love of language. I am in the 11th grade and, in addition to English, am learning three more languages.

Languages are the doors to new cultures and their people… vacations and their unique experiences and special moments. These things can become knowledge and wisdom… family stories and legends.  Coming to America each summer improves my English and deepens my connection to this part of my family and my American roots.

Now when we spend time together I’m as likely as anyone to start the flood of family stories by saying, “Remember the time….”

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[Tweet “These things can become knowledge & wisdom,  family stories & legends.”]

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