Generation improvements

There is much talk about whether the boomer generation's children will be the first to be worse off than their parents. Or maybe it is the generation X's kids. Whatever. People are looking for the place in the "how good we're doing" curve that it declines. Generational "keeping up with the Jones'" among other things, but there is more going on here.

For those keeping score, it tends to be based on possessions, wealth and job futures. How about health, medical care, freedom to experience, and other things?

I have no idea whether my three sons will make more than I am making. My oldest now makes more in his own business than I did at his age in my own business. Adjusted for inflation, it is likely still more. I was married and he was born when I was his age now, which has some implications, too. Upon greater review of each of the boys (ages 25, 21, 14), I know they are better off in many ways, and I'm proud to say so. The ways they are better off speak more to their potential future lives than whether they make more than me, have more than me or anything else that is wealth or consumption related at comparable ages.

I can safely say that at comparative ages to me, each has been more confident, mentally tough, competitive, charming, confidently curious, and expressive of their thoughts. The checkbook measurables don't much matter to me any more.

Music of Son and Father

The Living Years--Mike and the Mechanics (birth)
Arms Wide Open--Creed (raising)
Cat's in the Cradle--Harry Chapin (raising)
Younger Generation--Loving Spoonful (raising)
Father and Son--Cat Stevens (about time to move on)
Child's Song--Tom Rush (child leaving)

I listen to these songs to remember growing up and to remember my sons are, too. These explain the cycle about as well as any psychology or parenting book ever could.

The Journey: Part Five

The conversation was about parents, fitting on Mother's Day. Then he said, "She told me that a child's first impressions of God comes in the actions of the parents." Zing.

I thought of when I explained to a struggling friend that God was "mega-dad," a loving and caring father figure. Or to my sons that God was caring, though not afraid of disciplining, but largely leaving us to our own decisions. Example upon example substantiated the claim made to my friend about parents' roles in shaping impressions of God.

It didn't take long to get to the next step: responsibility. Parents have a responsibility to share concepts of faith, love, charity, respect, not only for the current day behavior of their children, but also their children's perceptions of the divine that will affect them for a lifetime.