PARENTING: BREAKING THE NEW AGE OF ENTITLEMENT…

I have actually been concerned at the results from the excessive use of cell phones, hand-held devices, and internet use. It seems as though it internalizes people’s way of thinking into focusing on them selves. We purchase for self pleasure, view for self gain, support and strive for self recognition, seek self fulfillment, post massive amounts of self-portraits, and of course, spend more money on self indulgences. The levels of self-seeking opportunities are at an all time high. No wonder the issues in politics are more about what the government will do for us verses what we can do to help ourselves! It is so important to teach and monitor our children and those we love of a healthy balance of being ‘others’ oriented rather than obsess with these resources for self gain. (Pr.18:1) TWITTER: Are you following someone because your learning from them or offering support and understanding, and/or a kind word?(Pr.16:24) or trying to keep up with gossip and trivial hearsay? FACEBOOK: Are you dying to get on and tell everyone about YOUR eventful last hour, post your latest and greatest Kodak moment, or are you offering something for others? MY SPACE: This is self explanatory, (no pun intended) its all about you here, right? TEXTING: My daughter had 6,835 text messages on last month’s bill. Is she learning to share thoughts and feelings through this abbreviated, often misunderstood method of communication? We need to make sure, in everyway possible, we as adults are encouraging real words spoken in real life, with real emotion, real eye contact, and that it’s NOT OK to send a message and not get feedback (that is FAR from compromise and a very selfish act), we should encourage conversations to be give and take, not ‘Here are my expectations’, so there. That’s what sending a text and then ignoring a response instills. Did you know that Words and Lips are mentioned in 635 verses of the Bible? Our high-tech-self-absorbed society seems to be aiding a level of expectation, and a generation of future adults who have a spirit of ‘entitlement’. Are we all afraid to set strong boundaries with consistent consequences? Or is it because we allow them so much freedom in self-absorbed activities that there is no time for them to consider or serve other’s need’s? Be very aware of ‘intention’ as you parent your children, make sure they are learning to be other’s oriented and not learning to be ALL ABOUT ME people. Teach them the importance of having quiet times to grow with the Lord. Communication daily with God improves communication daily with others. The dangers of an Entitlement mentality are stopping people from thinking of others and increasing Narcissism. Our children are inheriting an expectation-mentality and becoming reliant on what others can do for them! Let’s turn it around, and use these resources to help others, encourage others, offer prayer, support, and understanding, and most of all, ENCOURAGEMENT!! 'Call' on Him, & Be Blessed, Annalisa