Ask
any adult what they think is wrong with kids today and inevitably
the answer will boil down to the fact that kids seem to have a
serious lack of respect. However, the problem may not be with our
children. Adults may have to accept most of the blame for the
undesirable behaviour of our children.
As long as children see adults themselves acting
disrespectful to others, whether it is on television or in real
life; as long as they see disrespect for authority by adults; as
long as adults show that they do not respect themselves, we can not
expect the level of respect in our children to improve. Just look at
television. Look at how adults behave at sporting events. Look at
how adults behave when they have had a couple of drinks. You better
look, because your children are looking. Remember, respect is
‘caught’ not ‘taught’. You must be aware of what you are
throwing.
My oldest granddaughter taught me a good lesson recently that
certainly made me sit up and take a hard look at what people are
catching from me. It was just before Christmas and the students from
Confederation
Secondary
School
were at the shopping centre spreading the word about the dangers of
drinking and driving. Hailee asked my wife what the students were
doing and she explained that they were trying to get adults to
understand that it was bad to drink and drive.
Hailee,
whose innocence makes her one of the most honest persons I have ever
met, thought for a moment and said, “Well, that’s what Grandpa
does. He drinks and drives.”
Naturally, my
wife defended me and tried to explain that I would never drive if I
had too much to drink, but Hailee persisted, “Yes he does. The
last time when he was at our house he had a been when he had lunch
and then he drove home.”
At first I
laughed when my wife told me what Hailee had said, but afterwards I
was overcome with a tremendous sense of sadness and remorse at the
impression I had left on that little girl. Here I was, held in such
high regard by this five year old child, and this was the message I
was sending to her.
A few nights later we had all gone out to see “Alvin &
The Chipmunks” at the movie theatre. The whole group decided to
stop off at a local restaurant for dinner. Hailee sat across from
me. I watched her carefully colour the place mat with the crayons
that were provided by the establishment, and when the waitress took
our orders for drinks, I asked for a coffee instead of my usual Bud
Light. It was hard to hold back the tears, but I vowed that I would
never let my granddaughter down again. The other adults at the table
looked at me and smiled. Hailee never said anything. But I know she
caught the message. She always does.
Have a good week!
