By way of full disclosure, I do consider myself a right-leaning conservative and generally moderate on many positions, erring on the side of protecting the family.
I rarely get into politics in this blog, but I do think it relevant to bring a different perspective to be considered. You see, we all have opinions, really. We all do.
Some choose to give a loud voice to those opinions and others user a quieter voice to express their feelings. All voices need to be heard, but clear voices with rational ideas are often drowned out by the noise of divisiveness.
What are the youth to do with these presentations of adult behavior and public discourse? I think most rational people who consider themselves interested in good parenting should agree that if a child throws a tantrum and cannot or will not listen or hear anything you are saying, you cannot effectively deal with that situation by increasing the volume and tone with that child.
Yet the adults and many leaders in society today react in exactly the wrong way. They simply do not add good information and communicate it to people so they, and everyone else, can be heard.
Most of the people we see and hear are 50+ years-old, with many over 70 years-old. We have a growing cadre of people in their 30’s and 40’s emerging as well. All of these people set the stage for our children and their children’s future, not just for us today. I believe it is precisely in these times, when so many issues of real things affect the way our children will live as adults and parents themselves, that we need to find our true and steady voices for all to hear.
Who is talking about that in real terms?
You are, or you need to be, because if you don’t, the children in your life will have only a limited view of the world in which to develop their own ideas and opinions. This is vital and critical to understand and acknowledge. Young people today should know that yes, their opinions count, but that so does everyone else’s. Finding ways of learning from each other and respecting each other is a vital part of a successful community of people.
I also believe that being a Zayde is truly a blessing and a privilege. It’s not exactly a parenting do-over, but if you really embrace it you can find yourself looking at the future through your grandchildren’s eyes. And if that does not motivate you to do everything in your power to test your own ideas, digest society today, and do whatever you can to make the world a better place, then nothing will.
Listen, learn, and talk to young people and make the future better for all of us. The impact you can have on another human being is never so clear as the affect you can have on a child as only a Bubbe and Zayde can. And if you focus on it enough, it transcends age, time and the politics of the day to contribute so significantly to tikun olam that the future is indeed in your hands.
Vito Simone is a local resident, home renovation expert, and a Zayde to Zev and Leo. You can find his professional business online at www.TodaysHomeRenovations.com. Comments are welcome below or you can email Vito at [email protected] or call him at 410-952-5595 with blog comments or ideas, or for more information about Today’s Home Renovations.