Eric’s Thoughts on Childhood
No one can underestimate the importance of a loving, supportive and nurturing childhood. I believe it is true that becoming an adult is a unique experience and who we become involves a great deal of our own decision making. However, I also believe the foundation established in childhood is forever a part of our being.
I grew up on a family dairy farm in Kentucky, learning about life, the good and the bad, from the world around me. I will always value the fact that my parents didn’t shelter me from the truths of life. On the family farm, death, debts to be paid, failing crops and financial worries are a fact of life. On the other hand, births, desirable weather, abundant crops and a family bond of love and labor are gifts of joy. I didn’t experience my childhood from a book, television or game machine. I didn’t learn about consequences of one’s actions from time-out sessions or scoldings.
I learned and lived my childhood in the reality of nature, family, friends and the wholeness of the world in which I contributed to. Even as a child, I felt valued. It is that value, self awareness and fullness of the world that I hope to instill in our own child. I believe children should be able to make mistakes without undue punishment or overly restrictive sheltering. I was allowed to find my boundaries, to be curious, to try it on my own. I suspect this approach leads to a fuller acceptance of one’s self and a less rebellious child and teen. Of course, there are boundaries and a good parent is always there ready to step in with guidance and direction.
In my childhood, fun and labor were inter-mingled. Meals were important and food wasn’t served from a box. Cooking was not just a task, rather a time of being thankful, a time of conversation and discovery. I will give this same gift to our child and hope to never become the microwaved box dinner family. Ultimately, I want our child to experience childhood, much the same as I did. Of course the world is different today and our child will have different experiences. But, in the end, I sure hope that we can give our child many of the same gifts that I hold dear in my own childhood.
