Gifts were usually clothing you needed. Toys were chatter rings, marbles, maybe a skate board.
There was no 'picky eating', as we've heard about this week. If you didn't finish what was on your plate at dinner, you didn't get a treat afterwards.
Sweat treats were fruit. Or Raro sachets (sugar rush) if you managed to sneak one out the pantry.
There were no snacks - if you were hungry before dinner, mum would tell you to drink a glass of water.
School was basics. Maths, reading, writing. A bit of everything else.
What we're learning, as a society, is that we've collectively taken our eye off the ball. We've taken parenting to a level beyond usefulness.
Do we need cheap imported asbestos sand to engage toddlers?
Do we need a thousand fun school subjects in place of decent time on basic ones?
Do we need to tip-toe around kids not eating their veggies, as was suggested yesterday, for fear our kids may develop some eating disorder?
Do they all need cell phones that helicopter parents message constantly while their kid should learning in school?
No, we don't. We didn't then and we don't now.
The results speak for themselves.
The Aussies are banning social media.
Cell phone bans in schools are working.
According to results out yesterday, students forced to do an hour of good old fashioned maths a day made a full year's progress in just 12 weeks.
Kids are fatter than they've ever been before, so the meal time passive parenting thing clearly isn't working.
The goods news, it's not too late to turn this around. But frankly, parents and teachers are the ones who need to grow up and show leadership here, not the kids.
And the best news of all is that most of this stuff is easier and cheaper. We've set expectations too high, boundaries too low, and our kids are paying the price.
Ryan Bridge is a New Zealand broadcaster who has worked on many current affairs television and radio shows. He currently hosts Newstalk ZB's Early Edition - where this article was sourced.
3 comments:
Lol raro sachets! That was luxury. We got gregs cordial which was a mixed with sugar and water. And yes, you had to eat what mum gave you which was always meat, mashed or boiled potato and vege. Schools were schools, not indoctrination centres. I can't believe what is happening to nz. Imagine greeting the minister of finance with a protest song and dance back in those days. The teachers would have been fired. Now the politicians have to grovel and say how sorry they are and please don't think we are racist etc. It is pathetc
Great article Ryan and hitting the nail right on the head.
Right n Ryan.
There is a saying "If you set low standards, you will never fail to achieve them."
We are "modelling" our education system et al on incorporating all the trendy "add-ons" and neglecting the basics. Don't get me started on "modern parenting." Whingey, whiney, demanding kids can be seen and heard everywhere. The importance of "being yourself" and "finding yourself" end in "self" and self-centeredness is the result. The likes of Girl Guides and Scouts may not be "de rigeur" but these organisations taught moral fibre and inspired independence, self-worth and "giving it a go". Learning to wait, to share, to "be quiet" all starts in the home. In a country as beautiful and resourceful as NZ, suicide rates at an astonishing 630 for the 24/25 years are a national disgrace. Parents should be aware of what schools are teaching and demand the highest of standards. Sexualising children through the education system has led us down the rabbit-hole of self-indulgent clap-trap, Accepting the unacceptable at all levels has seen our nation faltering and floundering, when we should be thriving. Leadership in the home, responsible leadership in the schools and leadership of our country are seemingly surrendering to the whims of woke, with a few laudable exceptions of course. We can (and should) be doing better on all fronts. Thanks Ryan.
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