My thoughts on editors column

[lucky788scroller]

yes marsha, thats pyography, and I agree with you, to many kids are forgotten at home.The one thing I dont particuliarly like about the homeschooling thing is the lack of interaction with others, and learning to deal with the differences in each person.Ive seen some home schooled kids that were real shy in public, and some that cope even better then anyone else. As to why, I have no idea. Hats off to Jennifer! Dale
one afterthought I had after posting... when electricity was invented, did they ever think that that is ruining the culture, or the peoples ability to be creative, much like we think today about technology?

[Jediscroller]

Good points all. I don't think it's the technology or the kids. Kids usually ask the most questions and are the most fascinated with my work at shows. I think it's the fact that the "me" generation is raising them. TV's and computers are doubling as babysitters. If that's all you give them, it's all they'll know. My 8 yr old is learning to scroll and my 6 yr old will soon. It's up to the parents to teach them about these things. The reason so many shop classes are disappearing is also due to the sue-happy parents. The liability insurance has become cost-prohibitive for many school districts.
Of course, this thread seems to have a US slant to it, I'd be curious to here what Gill, Theresa and others across the pond(s) have to say. Is it the same everywhere?

[Gill]

Having no involvement with youngsters, I'm not qualified to comment. It's not a subject that I feel passionate about.

Gill

[Minnesota scroller]

Originally Posted by Gill

Having no involvement with youngsters, I'm not qualified to comment. It's not a subject that I feel passionate about.

Gill

What are you talking about, Gill? You are still a youngster.

[bearfretworks]

Terrific topic Dale!

I think the URBANIZATION of America has a great deal to do with it. Kids who do not have a connection to the natural world (be it hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, hiking, cutting firewood, etc....) fall prey to the concrete and asphalt jungle with all it's bright lights and instant gratification.

There is a good book out there called Last Child In the Woods by Richard Louv. It "links the absence of nature in the lives of today's wired generation to the rise in obesity, attention disorders, and depression."

Getting kids involved in outdoor activites leads to a healthy, balanced adult.

Just my $0.02.

[Minnesota scroller]

Great point Barry.

I have noticed that when out in the boat or in the field, I see very few young people out there enjoying the outdoors. Occasionally, I'll see a couple young fellers out with their dad but older teens and young adults are typically inside playing their Nintendo and whatnot. Also, it's been in the news quite a bit, obesity is on the rise among children and young adults. They're not going to burn many calories playing with their joysticks.

A few years ago I was employed as a part time jailor at our county jail. I was always amazed at the numbers of young people that were on some kind of depression medications.

Young people have to learn to get off their butts and get active and physically creative. They need purpose and they need goals.

[lucky788scroller]

passionate about??? what exactly does that mean anyways? Dale

[will8989]

Ok, guys, here's my 2 cents worth. Today's kids are tomorrow's future and leaders and doctors and lawyers, etc., etc. Do we want someone who only knows HOW to do something but not how to APPLY what they know? And how do they learn to apply what they know? By trying and doing different activities and taking the road it leads them down. I live in an area surrounded by the best hospitals in the world, Johns Hopkins being one. The world renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson, always tells the story of how at 15 he was headed for trouble. His mother MADE him read a book a week and discuss what he learned from that and they apply it. Had he been in front of a computer or TV all day, we may have never had his brillance. My daughter and son-in-law have 5, yes 5, computers in their house and numerous TV games and I am sure that their child will be well bred in the world of computers. But they both also play soccer, my daugther runs 1/2 marathons and bikes and do alot of outdoor activities and I am quite sure this child will have the best of both worlds. My mother in law had a saying, if a child isn't dirty he isn't having fun. I raised both my kids with that philsophy, and some times I wish they hadn't taken it so literally, and I passed it on to my daughter. It's all about balance and caring. I want my grandchildren to know everything they can about the computer world but I also want them to know how to play and get dirty and have fun and scrollsaw We all have to care, whether or not we have children of our own. I'm sure we all have sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, etc., and we need to feel passionate about their future and how they are going to get there, because after all one day they will be leading us or finding a cure for alzheimer's, or cancer, etc.

GOOD JOB SHANNON!!

Betty

[bearfretworks]

Originally Posted by lucky788scroller

passionate about??? what exactly does that mean anyways? Dale

A good example would be how Betty feels about this subject......

(and I mean that as a compliment Betty!!!!!)

[Shannon]

This may be a little off the message of the thread but it's funny and I had to share...

My youngest (Alex - 7) is in boyscouts - my older one didn't do boyscouts so this is all new to us. We are doing our very first Pinewood Derby - and as luck would have it, Fox Chapel has published a book on that very subject. So I bought the book, took it home and gave it to my husband. He procrastinated, and now a week before the car is due - he is freaking out. So last night the three of us (with the teenager adding comments from the peanut gallery) sat down to work on this car. (Because hubby is stressing and my presence has a calming effect... I am really trying to stay out of it because I tend to be a little controlling...LOL) Anyway - the car is painted and they have worked on the wheels and axles and now he decides he has to weight it. From reading the book - I know it should have been weighted before it was painted - but hey - it's a father/son project right?

So he goes to drill holes for the weights and splits the car in two. Now I am trying my best not to laugh - and it's 9pm - already an hour past Alex's bed time - and the derby is this weekend! We decided we would let the poor kid go to bed and I would pick up a new car blank on my lunch break today. I will not be home after work tonight so hubby and Alex are on their own. Hubby says that the best way to get the thing done is to send Alex to his room. UGH! Again - I just kind of laugh it off - but the whole idea of the project is to get the kids involved working WITH the parent. Next year, I think I will spearhead the project and I honestly don't think hubby will object - he is so stressed out with it, he said he is never building another car!

BUT... I don't think hubby ever had woodworking classes in school - and his dad was not a woodworker - so how is he supposed to teach his son? It's a vicious cycle.

Shhh... Don't tell him I posted this!