Comments on: Kerrying On: Just a Child

By: Rebecca Atwood

Rebecca Atwood — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:00:56 +0000

An absolutely wonderful story–thanks for sharing! It is good to be reminded of “the moral of the story”, especially these days when it seems that so many of the younger generation are going “down that slippey slope”. However, as your grandfather and particularly your mother had those concerns, it didn’t happen. So, this story also reminds us that things are relatively the same and that the younger generation is not all going “down that slippery slope”. We just need to maintain hope.
Thanks,
Rebecca

By: CCARSON

CCARSON — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:44:44 +0000

It is not easy to receive criticism and “bounce-back.” Many times, when corrected by our superiors we are tempted to react defensively and avoid taking responsibility for our misakes. Your experience shows the importance of embracing feedback and allowing it to make us better. I believe we should all be grateful for those people who care enough to help us discover our mistakes so we can grow and get better.

Great post Kerry!

By: Thomas Hanley

Thomas Hanley — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:38:35 +0000

At a local coffee shop, two youngsters helping their mom behind the counter were maybe 10 and 6 years old. When the little one leaned into the tubs of ice cream to scoop my cone, her feet came up off the floor. But they were poised and confident, and counted my change back to me. I was impressed with their hard working mom who kept the capuccino and specialty coffee orders flowing with the help of the two girls. As a kid I had a paper route at age 8, and got myself out of bed and made my breakfast every morning at 5:30 to deliver the papers before school. I worked in a pharmacy at 14 and the lessons and responsibility I gained have sustained me even now at age 55.

By: JJones

JJones — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:45:55 +0000

This is a great story that shows personal accountability, which reflects on my upbringing…if I got in trouble somewhere else, I got it double at home.
However, in today’s society, the sad fact is that a childhood prank can now be counted as a vicious crime with “one strike” legislation. In our litigious society, the parents of said stricken gumball child (a.k.a. victim in today’s parlance) could sue for assault, mental anguish and pain. And, it can stay on your record into adulthood resulting in failed background checks. No second chances…even with parental involvement and guidance.

By: Editor

Editor — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:24:45 +0000

@Julie

Kerry Patterson’s Kerrying On column is available by podcast. Please visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/kerrying-on/id83277468?i=13959818 to download and listen to his stories.

Kerry’s three New York Times bestsellers are also available on tape/cd and can be purchased from http://www.bn.com/vitalsmarts or your local bookstore.

Thank you,
The Crucial Skills Newsletter editors

By: SLCCOM

SLCCOM — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:53:23 +0000

#12, you might want to consider that your child may not have heard his teacher. It is possible for children to develop sudden hearing loss, or for there to be a temporary hearing loss due to allergies or a cold. If they already have a marginal hearing loss that got overlooked, a small dip due to allergies or colds can make it more apparent.

I used to get punished for things because I either did not hear something at all, or because I misunderstood it.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:47:19 +0000

Great story. After what happened you had accountably by several family members. What I am seeing in the work place is the behavior of the group. I do not know if this is the kindercare mentality. Young people are doing group negative behaviors and employers are not following through. Very insidious and when confronted, you are treated as senile. Thank goodness I work another job that the younger generation do hold each other accountable to policy and respect for one another.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:56:10 +0000

Reading this story made my day and was right on target. I was feeling guilty today about the fact that I told my 4 year old that he would not be watching TV tonight because he was purposely rude to one of his daycare teachers and ignored her repeatedly when she told him good morning today. I do expect more from him and will continue to teach him by example and with lots of love.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:48:18 +0000

Kerry,

Thank you again for another excellent, thought-provoking story!

By: Laura Craig

Laura Craig — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:47:08 +0000

Kerry- I loved your article! As a parent of two happy and pretty well adjusted twenty year olds, I can only agree and applaud your down to earth common sense approach! Children are indeed wired to try dumb things now and then but if the adults in their lives are open and can communicate lovingly and honestly about why “that wasn’t such a good idea, now was it?” then things will turn out well in the end.
I always enjoy your articles. Please keep writing! 🙂