From the day
they were born we have taught our kids right from wrong. We have done our best to instill in them
kindness, compassion, forgiveness, empathy, respect and love for others. We have tried to lead by example but have
fallen short on many occasions, however, these are the times we have tried to
use as teachable moments and I hope all walked away having learnt valuable
lessons.
We have had some
major changes for schooling this year. Because of lack of room, the program
Kayden is in was moved to another school. With the blending of different
groups, challenges have arisen. With
this move, Kayden has found himself surrounded with new students, some who have
a different view as to what is right and what is wrong. In grade 9 the hormones are raging,
boundaries are being tested and kids are trying to find out just where they fit.
This is a time where many teenagers have been known to behave in less than
desirable ways. So as I hear and see the
drama unfold I have caught myself this week telling Kayden to “just let it go” to
some of the small things that fall in the undesirable category. What I have forgotten is that these “small
things” are the same things that he was taught as a little guy to be
unacceptable. Have I just erased the value
in all we’ve taught that has helped build him into the wonderful young man is
becoming? Is there a fine line between
tolerance and being a coward in not standing up for what you believe is right? What behaviors fall into the category of
“little things”? Is accepting and
turning our eyes to the “little things” just allowing the little things to
become big things? The answers to these
questions are tough to find and vary depending on your perspective. To say “ya I know it’s not right, but that is
reality and you are just going to have to accept somethings sometimes” sucks as
an answer. I will never be able to give an answer for every scenario my
children will run into, and although they will not be able to rid the world COMPLETELY
of injustice and evil, how they react does matter and will alter the outcome
one way or the other. It is not always the yelling voice saying “you shouldn’t
do this” that will make a positive difference, although it may get you a black
eye. Sometimes it’s the silent voice and
the quiet actions that speak louder and have the biggest impact. Just because we don’t speak up does not
necessarily mean we accept and condone the words people say or the way they
behave, sometimes it’s just not the time or the battle. It’s not necessarily a matter
of being weak or scared when choosing silence but rather using our better
judgement from what we have been taught and what we have learnt from experience
that helps us differentiate when to speak up and when to shut up. If speaking
up holds no positive purpose, maybe there is another way!
Alana Regier
http:/alanaregier.blogspot.ca
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