pilgrim in progress

This is a must read article from Newsweek for all parents or parents to be about the dangers of overindulgence and importance of saying no. There is a lot in here to take to heart especially as Christians who are called to a life of true sacrifice and happiness, and as those who have the power through Christ to truly deny ourselves and be truly satisfied. Here are a few excerpts:

“Despite their good intentions, too many find themselves raising “wanting machines” who respond like Pavlovian dogs to the marketing behemoth that’s aimed right at them. Even getting what they want doesn’t satisfy some kids—they only want more. Now, a growing number of psychologists, educators and parents think it’s time to stop the madness and start teaching kids about what’s really important—values like hard work, delayed gratification, honesty and compassion. In a few communities, parents have begun to take action by banding together to enforce limits and rules so that no one has to feel guilty for denying her 6-year-old a $300 Nokia cell phone with all the latest bells and whistles. “It’s almost like parents have lost their parenting skills,” says Marsha Moritz, 54, who helped found the Parent Engagement Network, a support group in Boulder, Colo. “They want to be their kids’ best friend and make sure they’re having fun, but what the kids really need is for parents to be parents.”

Few parents ask kids to do anything around the house because they think their kids are already overwhelmed by social and academic pressures; adding lawn mowing or laundry almost seems cruel. And who wants to nag a 12-year-old (for the fifth time) about taking out the garbage? “When parents have so little time with their kids,” says Irene Goldenberg, a family therapist and professor emeritus at UCLA, “they don’t want it to be filled with conflict.” But kids who have no responsibilities never learn one of life’s most basic lessons: that every individual can be of service to others and that life has meaning beyond one’s own immediate happiness.”

(HT: Brent Detwiler)