Dr. Julie’s Meaningful Morsel … Are There Any Good Kids Out There?
by
Come on, you can do it. Here, I’ll go first, take my hand…Good job!
Although I was surrounded by phenomenal scenery, standing within the midst of a natural waterfall shower and sun-kissed sandstone glory, the vision that seized my heart and overtook my attention was the amazing view of a giggling group of kids, which made up my daughter’s 10th birthday party.
As I watched this laughing band of tight friends, looking out for each other as they traversed wet slippery rocks and, even more importantly, risked exposing personal inadequacies and fears, I witnessed heartwarming spontaneous support and sensitive, genuine care and was touched, first as a mom and then as a psychologist – and deeply moved by a sense of hope as both.
Bullying? Disrespectful youth? Kids who prey on the vulnerabilities and insecurities of the weak? While I know these harsh realities are out there, I oftentimes feel that our culture’s current-day focus on the negative actions of a portion of our youth, overshadows the abundance of good in our kids that is just as readily out there.
Here’s to the next generation of amazing, kind, loving kids who are fully capable of developing – and expressing – empathy and care for others! For when we believe that our youth has the capacity to be kind and generous towards others, we as parents, educators and mentors will come to expect that our kids treat others – and themselves – with traits such as kindness, acceptance and respect.
And, as a direct result in the vast majority of our children, this positive belief will lay an essential foundation for expectations to become reality.
