Keeping it Simple

As I headed down highway 20 to the family ranch, I veered off at Johnstown. This was the week of Rodeo Bible Camp and my great niece and nephew were participating. It was only a few minutes after entering the gate of the Brown County Fair and Rodeo grounds that I spotted some of their clan. (There’s seven of them.) I learned rather quickly that Gracelynn – age 10 – was before the judges at that very moment in hopes of winning a saddle for memorizing and reciting the book of Philippians. Yes…the entire book! The saddle would go to the participant with the least mistakes. This was a closed competition, meaning no spectators were allowed so we waited patiently to see how she had done. The smile on her face as she approached us, reassured us that she felt she had done okay, but it would be hours later before the results were announced. When they were, Gracelynn was ecstatic – she had won the saddle!

This great aunt was proud, not to say anything about her parents, siblings and grandparents. I’ve done some scripture memorization myself and have considered it quite a feat when I put one chapter under my belt. I knew how time consuming and mind taxing it is. Gracelynn had been working on it for an entire year. I’m sure she gave up things she would have rather been doing while keeping her mind set on the goal.

In this world of instant gratification and parental indulgence, I wonder how many kids would have desired to take up the challenge this presented. Most of them can get what they want far easier than the way Gracelynn did it.

After witnessing Gracelynn’s excitement of winning the saddle as a reward for her diligent efforts, I had to wonder about the effects of handing over to our kids and grand kids the desires of their hearts. As it turns out, the effects may not be all that good. According to www.kidsinthehouse.com, children with too many things develop shorter attention spans because they have too many options to choose from and they place less value on the things they have. According to the author, spoiling kids doesn’t make them happy, it just makes them spoiled and spoiled children are more likely to grow up to be spoiled adults who will focus on their own needs before others.

Advertising to children is big business and billions per year are spent on targeting children’s desires. Our children and grandchildren see more than 40,000 commercials annually on TV. These advertisers do such a great job that if the child hasn’t wanted it yet, he/she will now. According to doinggoodtogether.org, research has consistently shown that materialism is connected to a decrease in life satisfaction, happiness, anxiety and antisocial behavior. And verywellfamily.com reports that many adults that were overindulged children are now over eaters and over spenders, all while dealing with chronic unhappiness and difficulty coping with reality.

On the upside of this, it’s not too late for parents and grandparents to change the way they do things. Instead of buckling under the pressure of the child’s desires, it would be to our benefit and the child’s to be doing damage control. What is really best for the child? It’s probably not a new toy he needs or in the case of the teenager, a new outfit. It’s our time and love that are the most valuable gifts we can give and they carry no risk of having to deal with the aftermath of materialism later. Children who feel loved through time spent with them are healthier mentally, emotionally, and physically. (extension.sdstate.edu) They are less likely to have behavioral issues and less likely to participate in risky behaviors as teenagers.

In this world of economic stress, it seems wise all the way around to avoid making Christmas something it doesn’t have to be. While keeping it simple and staying out of debt, it may increase your chances of having a well balanced child. Years down the road, it’s not the new toy or the new outfit that will be remembered. It’s the time and love that was given and the relationship that was developed.

Until next time – keep on readin’ and I’ll keep on writin’.