This past weekend I was unfortunate to witness the growing problem with my generation and peek into the future (and be utterly dismayed) at what the world is coming to.
At our annual Ward Christmas Breakfast, one of the best ladies in our ward stepped up to the microphone and proceeded to discuss the tragedy that occurred in Newtown the previous day. She was holding back tears (and me too) as she read a letter her sister had written asking for letters, pictures, donations, anything to reach out to the families of the tragedy and show them love, kindness and support.
And I could barely hear her.
Not because the microphone wasn't working or she wasn't speaking loud enough.
But because parents were letting their children run all over the gym, yelling, screaming and completely disrespecting what was going on around them.
Now, I'm not saying that I'm in any way a perfect parent (believe me, I KNOW I'm not perfect when it comes to Lucy, as it's been pointed out to me on several occasions), but when I was a kid there was NO WAY my parents would've let me run around and be noisy while there was a program going on.
Why does this happen then?
Because parents today simply don't care.
My generation feels that they are entitled to anything and that their kids are special and deserve to do whatever they want.
In short, we're spoiled rotten.
Which, in short, is making our kids spoiled rotten.
Entitled, entitled, entitled!
We are so afraid of hurting our children's feelings and being their friend that we don't realize we are depriving them of the most essential parts of growing up, which, at times, includes disappointment.
It's like that saying that I've read somewhere (probably Pinterest) that says "I'd rather raise a kid who knows what losing feels like, than a kid who gets a trophy for simply participating." (Or something like that.)
Frankly, I'm scared to death that I'll be the same way and give in completely to whatever Lucy wants (at times, I already do, but only because she's 1, and I pick my battles with her). But if I ever see her being disrespectful in a sacred situation, you can bet she'll get what for!
Now, there are those out there who probably disagree with me (good thing only 2 people read this blog), but I don't care. There are few things that I'll stand on a soap box for, and this is definitely one of them. Kids need discipline! But so do parents.
I weep for the future.
And now a picture to brighten your day:
