Last week I read the entirety of the Little House on the Prairie series from start to finish (excluding the last book that was published posthumously). I have to admit it gave me not only something fun and quick to read, but provided quite a bit of food for thought.
Life as a pioneer was hard. The work was hard, and had to be done to survive. Just when the Ingalls family thought they had a leg up something difficult happened and they were forced to move on, or eat less, or burn straw to keep warm. The children were taught young to work and to help out of necessity.
The culture was also significantly less child-centric than we seem to be. It's the simplest example, but in Laura's family, Pa was served first, Pa opened his Christmas present first, and what Pa said was law, no arguing. I feel the desire to serve the children first, let the children choose. I'm not valuing one way over the other, I'm simply noticing.
The other thing that surprised me was the excitement I felt thinking about all the yummy food Laura describes. Rye'n'Injun bread, baked beans, fresh bread, maple candy, chicken pie, and even mashed turnips are described in such a way as to make your mouth water.
Perhaps the single most noticeable aspect of the books I noticed this time around is Laura's mention of her own conscience. She knew she must always obey, she knew she must be good, even when she felt rebellious or frustrated. She had a highly developed sense of right and wrong, something that I want to instill in my own children and even myself.
Now, the question is simply how?
3 comments:
I think you need to start with clear expectations from the beginning, and don't back down. Also, kids need lots of chores and outdoor time. Of course, I have all sorts of brilliant theories on child rearing because I have no children.
I loved reading those books when I was younger. You reminded me of the maple candy that I always wanted to try when I read those books--haha! And I think a big part of "child-rearing" (even though this might change when we are to that point is to tell kids the truth)--is to be honest and explain the reasons behind rules, etc... If kids understand the "why" behind the rule or the right or wrong, they are more likely to develop it in themselves--that's what I think right now anyway.
I wonder if it was because the Ingalls family was such a god-fearing people. you're a great mom. Keep going girl!
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