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 By Judy Ramsook June 16, 2006 People entertain themselves all the time. Whether they are listening to music, watching something on television, attending a concert or sporting event, they are being entertained in some way, shape or form. In more personal matters such as parenting though, and from careful observation, this writer has noticed the amount of toys, gadgets and video game systems one might purchase in order to keep his or her kids entertained. Something which poses the question, has entertainment become the new form of discipline for one’s kids? Long gone are the days when Sesame Street and Mr. Roger’s Neighbourhood were the only children’s television shows on the air. Nowadays there is the twenty four Cartoon Network, Disney Channel and not to mention the usual early morning and afternoon non cable access lineup as well. There is a goldmine of kids entertainment available, including an abundance of more children’s books occupying the various book store shelves than when you and I were a kid. Again, it asks the question, do some parents find it easier to entertain their kids to the max as opposed to doling out a little discipline? No matter where most of us get our current events information from, be it the newspaper, intenet, radio or television, it does not take one long enough to see that some parents have taken spankings of their kids a bit too far, to where they have reached the abusive stage. In an attempt to prevent such events from occurring, most new parents today seem afraid to discipline their kids properly. They might be afraid to spank them for fear things might get a bit out of hand with that form of discipline, and they might even be afraid to raise their voices to their kids as well. Something that will no doubt send tears down a child’s face, so what do such parents find themselves doing instead? They might find themselves purchasing the latest toy after toy and video game system after system. For should their kids stay bored too long, they might pick a fight or two with the nearest sibling. At which time some disciplinary action might be doled out. Action that parent might be apprehensive to dole out for fear that things could become a bit out of hand. So in order to keep such kids happy, most parents find themselves pleasing them with just about anything those kids desire, providing of course, they can afford such toys and or gadgets. Even when such parents take their kids on trips they have to make sure they have all the things that will keep such kids in a long enough state of being entertained. Such individuals will take along video game systems, toys, even the family pet if being entertained with a combination of these things will prevent one of the kids from getting involved in a fight with his or her sibling. Or from saying with a groan that familiar phrase, ‘I’m bored.’ Keep in mind not much discipline is being doled out, not even the verbal kind. What is taking place here? Will the future of the world be over run with a bunch of persons who have no discipline? Moreover, is this the type of world we would want for generations to come? If most people are afraid to discipline their kids now, what is going to happen in years to come? People will have less and less discipline and where will the world be then, in a state of chaos? Maybe there is no solution to the problem, but one thing parents can do is show their kids how much they are cared for and loved. For sometimes it’s the kid who feels he or she is being neglected is the one who might be crying out for the most attention. Showing some concern and love is not asking too much. In fact, it might be easier than going broke buying all those toys and gadgets to keep that restless kid in a lingering state of being entertained. ------------ About the author: Born and raised in the former British colony of Trinidad & Tobago, Judy Ramsook came to the US in the mid eighties where she attended San Antonio College and the University Of Texas At San Antonio. Since publishing her first book, Karen’s Adventure, she has written two more: one of which is a sequel to Karen’s Adventure but has not yet been published. The other one is currently in the process of being fine tuned. An excerpt from her first book, Karen’s Adventure can be viewed at www.publishedauthors.net/g2rdy Email: j2rdy@hotmail.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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