Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

The other day I read about a celebrity who blogged about how things have changed so much these days with the existence of social media.

He’s referring to common cases these days where youngsters seem to have ‘lost their manners’ when they interact with others ‘online’.

… youngsters seem to have ‘lost their manners’ when they interact with others ‘online’Those in their teens call others in their forties by their names (which obviously is not a common practice here in Asia).

They would tweet something rude about someone (and tag him/her!).

They ‘bully others comfortably’ on social media.

They’ve become keyboard warriors.

And they could be as young as 12, or even younger.

…

The children in our family are now 11yo, 8.5yo and 4yo.

And no, they have not entered the social media world.

They understand why it’s not a necessity for children their age.

(I wrote a related topic last week, ‘Staying real though on Social Media‘)

…

Our words, our actions, and everything … reflect not just ‘who you are’Anyway.

When it comes to interactions with others, one of the things that I often remind the kids, especially my two older ones, is:

Be watchful of what we do and say, because … it’s never just about you.

Our words, our actions, and everything … reflect not just ‘who you are’.

I often share with them how whatever they do and say to others also reflects :

… their parents

… their family

… their upbringing

… their faith

… their church / school

… their God

The principle to remember is simple : it is never just about you.

…

So, when do I have such talks with the kids?

Usually it’s during our car rides, … on our way to school, or on our way back from school.

And it’s usually related to how our kids treat each other, their friends and teachers at school.

(Like all other kids, they still have their natural tendencies to be rude, indifferent or disrespectful towards others)

…

Well, anyway … I sincerely hope and pray that the kids will hold onto this value and exercise it as they grow up.

Including when it’s time for them to enter to the social media world one day.

…

our lives are like an open bookThis btw is also a self reminder.

To  always think things through.

To exercise better self-control over ourselves, offline and online.

To choose what’s right, … which sometimes (or often) is not quite what we want.

Because, our lives are like an open book.

We are read by everyone.

And really, our life is never just about us.