Where Are We Going??

I started this morning reading all the latest on my Facebook friends and I came across a link to Trine Grung’s blog: Trine's Blog    As I read what she wrote (sorry folks this one is only in Norwegian but you can read an English version here: English version, I started thinking about the truth in what is written in this article. I’ve said it before that one of the motivations in raising our children in Norway versus America was exactly this…I felt that in many ways things were taking off in the states in a way that I didn’t recognize or like. In Norway- things were slower, more behind in the times if you will and I felt living here would offer my children a similar upbringing to the one that I had and so far I’ve not been disappointed but Norway is unfortunately catching up fast with the rest of the world and the peaceful laid back Norwegians are beginning to see some problems arise in their youth which could ultimately cause them to have to enforce idiotic rules in order to feel they have “control” over a situation. But do the rules give authority a guarantee that they have things under control or does it just give them a smoke screen of security?

I started reading about the various bans in American schools and was astonished. I had heard about not being allowed to wish people Merry Christmas or any greeting having to do with a religious holiday. Then I was reading about recess being banned in some schools because school officials felt that recess took valuable time away from what could otherwise be used for academic promotion. They felt their chances for higher scores on academic tests were clearly affected if children were allowed to have recess time!!! Other bans included games at recess like tag, dodgeball, and soccer just to name a few. Children could get hurt, schools sued, and to solve the problem school officials just took these things away!!

When I read things like this I’m glad my children have grown up here and been able to play and have recess time. I’m glad they’ve been able to be kids, climb trees and fall down, they’ve been able to keep their innocence to some degree and I’m grateful for that.

Yeah I’d say my kids are perfectly normal..but I also see places where I’ve failed them in some degree- bought into the media world- the pressures of the electronic age. My kids have ipods, playstation2, computers and cell phones. My oldest would rather chat online with her friends then actually have them over. I’ve asked her so many times why she doesn’t have them over- she doesn’t feel like it. She can talk to them online in her hangin-around-the-house clothing and not have to fix herself up! My youngest could play video games on the most beautiful sunshine filled day and not blink an eye and for his birthday all he wanted was some cool video games he and his buddies could play at his party! My middle child compares herself to the seductive photos put out online by her peers and feels she doesn’t live up to their beauty- sometimes! I struggle every day to keep them from being completely sucked into the electronic world but I’m not setting very good examples when I’m online myself a lot throughout the day, checking Facebook, blogging, or surfing to see what’s going on in the world..I’ve been to some degree sucked into the electronic world myself and when you have a problem yourself you can’t exactly be a role model for someone else- now can you?

I could actually see giving up my TV quicker then my computer. My computer keeps me connected with the world even when I live on an island in the middle of the largest lake in Norway. I like that feeling…it’s a “drug” I don’t think I could ever give up….but limiting it…now that is a different story..I guess it’s kinda like eating- nothing is dangerous as long as it’s done in moderation!!!

I’ll blog a little more tonight with some photos..it’s a gorgeous day and there is a yard full of gravel calling for me to come clean it up…

Until next time folks…