GENERATION XL: RAISING INTELLIGENT CHILDREN IN A HIGH TECH, JUNK FOOD WORLD
I once read a quote that said, “ You did not inherit the earth from your parents, it was lent to you by your children” – meaning the trees, oceans, ozone, and animals were not given to us by our ancestors, but lent to us temporarily to give back healthy and intact to our children and our grandchildren. The point is, don’t destroy the earth!
The same principle applies to our children. They are not ours to ruin. They were lent to us by their children and their children’s children. Children are like new years resolutions. They are too easy to make and the responsibility necessary to complete the task is rarely carried out. Clearly, we have not taken this responsibility seriously enough. They did not put themselves here.
If there is something harder than raising children to be exceptional students, gentle and caring of their peers, to eat well, take good care of their bodies, and be concerned about their future, then I have not seen or heard about it. Young people are always caught up in the dichotomy of trying to be defiant and fit in all at the same time. From the very beginning they are trying to rebel from their parents, yet fit in with their friends. All the while they are influenced by everything from their favorite media idols eating McDonald’s and drinking Pepsi to damaging popular trends perpetuated by the “cool” kids or the latest rock, pop, or rap stars.
The job of a parent, teacher, guardian, etc. is tough (really tough), but not impossible. It’s not impossible at all. Thousands are failing, yet thousands are succeeding in this toughest, but most important of chores.
Your child’s taste buds may presently reject anything not covered in salt, slathered with corn syrup, and preserved with hydrogenated oil. Nonetheless, other than what they do behind your back, they only will eat what you buy or allow on a regular basis. Using the recipes, health food sections, and some ingenuity, you will find an endless array of snacks, meals, desserts, etc. that the kids will enjoy. It takes some work, but it is beyond worth it. As Winston Churchill said to his troops during the last World War, “Do not do what you can, do what you must!” And make no mistake, if you have kids, the war is on – the war against the dangers of our culture and the fight to give them the future they deserve and the future we are responsible to give them.
Similarly, if your kids are used to the various electronic baby sitters that exist today – computers; television; video games; cell phones; and, whatever else is on its way this Christmas, getting them moving on a regular basis may take nothing less than a chair and a whip. But, if electronic hours are planned and not merely allowed, and there are physical requirements applied both at home and at school, you can begin to take your child’s body away from the technology age. In fact, by getting involved with the exercise yourself, you not only create a good model, you get healthier yourself.
The most important hill to take in this battle is their minds. With technology doing most of the work, creativity and imagination have run out. It is no wonder that learning disorders and depression are at the catastrophic levels that they are. Exchanging technology hours for games, crafts, and reading is another critical step in your child’s development and their chance for a fulfilling life.
A healthy, happy child does not need to look like Schwarzenegger, Jr., Jennifer Aniston, or Mary J. Blige. Do the right thing and let their appearance take care of itself. On the other hand, by allowing your child the opportunity to look their best and managing their lives in a way that leads and guides them towards excellence, you do immeasurable good to their confidence and self-esteem. This will speak volumes all throughout their lives.
Having two children and being surrounded by thousands more in my clinic has given me a burning passion to help. If you are tired, frustrated, and just do not know where to begin, Generation XL is an incredible resource for answering your questions about raising a child with a healthy mind and body who will thrive as an adult.
Maximum Blessings,
Dr. Doug Kaner
P.S. We will have the Generation XL books here for you to purchase soon.