Antoinette's Page

Vol. 1,  No. 13, September 6th, 2010

This got me thinking about my personal experiences as a child and also those as a mother. It also got me thinking about my children who are now adults and/or parents. They are part of  Generation X, which was born between 1961 and 1981.

Each generation has its time and way. My parents were from the old country. In my family, my mother, the primary child-rearing parent, was loving, but very strict, especially with me as the girl. My childhood was much different from that of my mother. Being Canadian-born and a Baby Boomer, I grew up with TV; and kid shows were mostly cartoons and fluff.

I had the advantage of increased knowledge in medicine, etc. However, when it was my turn as a new mother, even with a TV,  telephone  and books, I could not get much information on demand.  While I had a pediatrician and girlfriends, I was pretty much on my own -I found my very own parenting style. First and foremost, I drew from my Mother – I had comparable values. I also benefitted from  improvements in children’s programming. I had the resource of educational shows such as “Sesame Street”, “Mr. Drsss-up”, etc. “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was one of the best.  Later, when raising my daughters, I was a working /soccer Mom.  While I insisted upon what’s right and proper, I was somewhat more lenient than my mother had been.

When it comes to my adult daughters, they start with being caring of people in general and fond of and nurturing to children in particular. During this, the family period of their generation, we know even more about health, diet/nutrition, learning, etc. In addition, the current generation parents are improved because of technology.   In a very real sense, the world has changed. No longer in the TV age, we have passed through the (computer) information age to the specialty channel age together with Internet/cell-phones. New mothers are not isolated, but instead, connected and more informed.  I am very proud of the way my eldest daughter, a grade-school teacher, is raising my little granddaughter.

SERIES/COLLECTION

THE (AUDIO) BOOK

The point

When it come to child- bearing and child- rearing, Baby Boomers have passed the baton to Generation X. To the question, “How did the Baby Boomers do as parents?” I answer: “Very well thank you…look at these fine young adults. ” However, I do have some words of advice.

Antoinette’s Parenting Suggestions

1. Start with love; and love unconditionally;

2. Pay attention to children, never leave them unattended …not even for a second;

3. Learn to say “No”, as boundaries spell love and use discipline responsibly to teach the notion of consequences; and it is never too early as the ‘time out corner’ can be a teaching tool even with young children;

4. Give your child much thought and ask such questions as: (a) “Who is he or she?” (b) “What is his or her character?” (c) “What are his or her talents?” Feed the particular needs and gifts of each child. But as a parent, if you think it beneficial, regardless of the child’s wishes, it is OK to give them music lessons or Saturday morning extra school.

5. Be an example, not by saying, but by showing: Be a good person with good qualities and instill the same in young people.

Antoinette’s Grand-Parenting Rules

1. Be good grandparents; to this end,

(a) Understand that your adult children are the parents and abstain from offering directions;

(b) Advise when asked; etc.

2. Keep your eyes open; and intervene, if and when, the child is at risk;

Speaking for Baby Boomers everywhere, I say to the adults from Generation X, “I am so proud of you as people and also, I compliment you over your kids -our precious grand-kids of today and tomorrow. Thank you in advance.”

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *

ALP

CREDITS

-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com

The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.

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