Sometimes it feels like the world is going to hell in a hand basket. We have a chance to turn it around – but instead of just the election booth, some of these changes must happen at home.
By Patricia Joanne, FWD News Contributor
9:20 AM EST, Tuesday December 20, 2022
Hate, vitriol, tribalism. These are three qualities often seen in today’s politics. But what if we have a chance to stop the pattern? Parents, if you’re listening, here’s a good place to start:
Teach your children to believe in Science and value the process.
Be good sports…winning is not important…trying your best is.
Be political…fight for the rights of others as much as your own.
Fight for the planet. It’s the only one we have to live on.
Teach them to fight for the underdog…someday it could be them.
Teach your children well…someday, they will be our world leaders.
Incorporate education on family outings…visit museums and get them excited about learning.
Encourage less time on social media and more time reading. Make it a point to do “family movie nights” and be sure to watch thought provoking movies.
Never let them hear you complain about their teachers…encourage them to treat their educators respectfully. Value your elders…spend time asking them questions about their lives. They might just save you from making the same mistakes.
Eat the foods of as many cultures as you can incorporating a lesson about their customs.
Value all races, all religions, and teach children that love is love.
When you borrow something return it better than you received it.
Value people for who the are not what they own. Material things are not important.
Lying is never ok. Look at a person in the eyes when you speak to them. Be grateful. Be humble. Open the door for the person behind you. Give up your seat to a pregnant woman or an elderly person: you or someone you love will be one of those two someday.
Volunteer your time. Treat others the way you wish to be treated.
Don’t be cruel or judgmental to the less fortunate. Remind your children of their blessings and to feel compassion for those who don’t have as many. Treat everyone with respect especially people providing services to them…Be respectful and kind to servers, wait staff, hospitality. Treat the janitor the way you would treat a CEO.
Maybe, just maybe, we could then leave the world in a better place then how we found it.
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Photo by Shutterstock, ViDI Studio.
