Christ-A-Tarian

Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 11:53

Over the summer, I jumped on the Mandalorian’s show craze.  I am a Star Wars’ fan anyways so, watching baby Yoda’s (Grogu) adorableness was definitely entertaining.  Although his cuteness was undeniable, my favorite character was Kuiil.  He had a signature line: “I have spoken” which reminded me of something my mom used to say when I was growing-up, “Because I said so”.

Being raised by a pre-Baby Boomer, I was taught with many of her generational parenting ideologies.  In her day, kids were seen and not heard; spankings followed most misbehaviors; kids ate whatever food was put in front of them; there was no such thing as an allowance, and reason given for these rules: “Because I said so”!

Since I am a Gen X, I modified those rules just a bit.  First, my kids were seen and heard - as long as they remained respectful and did not interrupt adults speaking (unless they were on fire 😊). Second, I did spank my kids’ bottoms occasionally for complete disobedience. Overall, I choose the disciplinary concept of “punishment had to fit the crime”.  For example, if they mistreated a toy, the toy was given away to someone who would appreciate it.  Next, I did not make my kids eat everything on their plate; but I did not allow fussiness or wastefulness either.  Specifically, they could not have any seconds until they finished firsts.  Since I was a tad smarter than they were, I gave them a small portion of what I knew they loved -including chocolate pudding-(yes, I served pudding during dinner-it has milk in it 😉).  They would immediately gobble-up the pudding and ask for more.  In my most loving voice, “Yes, you may have more as soon as you finish your chicken, beans, and rice.  We do not waste God’s food, so, no seconds until you finish your firsts.”  Almost, always, they would quickly eat the rest on their plates and get their seconds of pudding.  This created a diverse palate while eliminating the power struggle that is often seen when kids decide they do not want to eat something. Finally, I stayed true to the allowance rule of my mother’s era because I always found it counterproductive to give an allowance for something that should be done anyways.  No one gave me money for doing dishes or laundry, and I was not going to give it to them.  Now, I have heard the argument, that it teaches them how to manage money. Teaching them to manage their money came from birthday $, Christmas $, and eventually the money from working jobs. 

Now, that I listed some of my parenting rules, I usually did give my sons reasons for them.  It was important to show them cause and effect with the Biblical, “reap what we sow” truth (Galatians 6:7).  However, I have to admit there were times when I gave the reason, “Because I said so!” Just like Kuiil, there were times when enough was said, and the matter had to be dropped.  Even the Mandalorian’s Creed, “This is the way” on the show was enough of an explanation, and sometimes this is the way parenting should be.

*Galatians 6:7

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

 

 


Tina wrote:
Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 15:05
Good job! I like how you use the “ordinary” to bring out a spiritual application! Mandalorian. We started watching but then we cancelled Disney.

You also did a good job at parenting! Like your ideas! You’re a wonderful mom!😀.
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