Friday, February 17, 2006
Parent are enough...?
What a week!
Well, I just got back from a week of camp. My daughter's class spent the week at a camp designed to educate children about the science and history of our area, Oklahoma.
We got to dig fossils and found many...;-) What an adventure!
So why was I there, I won the lottery. My name was drawn from the many parent's who wanted to come along as a "camp counselor."
I had five boys in my group and what an experience it turned out to be...I was priviledged to get a glimpse of a ten/eleven year old's life.
It has been challenging for me to recall what it was like to be that age. I am finally starting to remember bits and pieces. The biggest difference I notice is that technology (i.e. computers) was not present.
My world both real and imaginary had much to do with fields, dirts, trees, and my bicycle. I was an adventure of the world that surrounded me. I was always stacking my claim to something, a tree, a hole in the ground, or a maze of paths in the overgrown field of weeds.
The world I knew is much different than that of the boys who where under my care for the week. Their world very much included computers and movies. One-on-one interaction and adventure is quite different for them.
So, why am I asking are parents enough? In a word "camp!"
After spending a week amongst the many ten and eleven year old children I realized that camp, less than a week away from the known world, was in many ways a first flight.
The first opportunity to explorer what it means to be amongst peers and away from direct parental intervention.
As I observed and experienced the flow and the occasional conflict I realized that the children had much to learn and to experience.
As a parent I am now able to see that my input, my perception, may not be a complete picture. While I may be extremely effective in some areas it is clear that I have much to learn in other areas and that my child could benefit by experiencing the guidance of another supportive parent.
What a disservice for a parent to actually hold themselves in a way that suggests that they are enough for their child to learn and grow.
We owe it to our children to expose them to a broader world. As I learned during my time at camp there is a far greater chance to be prosperous in a polyculture, a diverse culture, versus a monoculture.
Be Bold, Be Extraordinary, Be YOU!
With love,
James Smith
405-521-8609
james at alifeofpossibility dot com ¶ 5:40 PM
Well, I just got back from a week of camp. My daughter's class spent the week at a camp designed to educate children about the science and history of our area, Oklahoma.
We got to dig fossils and found many...;-) What an adventure!
So why was I there, I won the lottery. My name was drawn from the many parent's who wanted to come along as a "camp counselor."
I had five boys in my group and what an experience it turned out to be...I was priviledged to get a glimpse of a ten/eleven year old's life.
It has been challenging for me to recall what it was like to be that age. I am finally starting to remember bits and pieces. The biggest difference I notice is that technology (i.e. computers) was not present.
My world both real and imaginary had much to do with fields, dirts, trees, and my bicycle. I was an adventure of the world that surrounded me. I was always stacking my claim to something, a tree, a hole in the ground, or a maze of paths in the overgrown field of weeds.
The world I knew is much different than that of the boys who where under my care for the week. Their world very much included computers and movies. One-on-one interaction and adventure is quite different for them.
So, why am I asking are parents enough? In a word "camp!"
After spending a week amongst the many ten and eleven year old children I realized that camp, less than a week away from the known world, was in many ways a first flight.
The first opportunity to explorer what it means to be amongst peers and away from direct parental intervention.
As I observed and experienced the flow and the occasional conflict I realized that the children had much to learn and to experience.
As a parent I am now able to see that my input, my perception, may not be a complete picture. While I may be extremely effective in some areas it is clear that I have much to learn in other areas and that my child could benefit by experiencing the guidance of another supportive parent.
What a disservice for a parent to actually hold themselves in a way that suggests that they are enough for their child to learn and grow.
We owe it to our children to expose them to a broader world. As I learned during my time at camp there is a far greater chance to be prosperous in a polyculture, a diverse culture, versus a monoculture.
Be Bold, Be Extraordinary, Be YOU!
With love,
James Smith
405-521-8609
james at alifeofpossibility dot com ¶ 5:40 PM
