Dianna Edwards and Writing
  • About me
  • Short stories
    • Death in the Desert
    • Secrets
    • Airport Drama
    • Acacia
    • Two Chooks in December
    • A Darned Surprise
    • The Sunset Mermaid
    • Friend or Foe?
    • At Rainbow's End
    • Sisterly Love
    • Good Times to Come
    • Being Famous
    • Something Special for Dinner
    • Walter's Secret
    • The Visitor
  • Children's stories
    • The Red Silk Kite
    • The Singing Tree
    • Beatrice Barnfeather
    • Garth's bath
    • Little Dog Tambo
    • Flowers For a Special Day
  • Non Fiction
    • Letter to a Soldier
    • The Body
    • Autumn Saturday
    • A Year With Billy
    • Lunch
    • Harry's Story
    • 2007 bushfires
    • My Father's Kite
    • Death of a Chook
    • Gentle Heartache
    • Shopping with Sisters
    • When I am Old
    • Matilda
    • Fragments
  • Blog

BLOG

Today's Children

19/7/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Yesterday afternoon, as I walked the little dog beside our local park, a small boy pushing his bike home from school looked at me and said, “Good afternoon”. I was so surprised at his politeness that I barely had time to say a quick “Hello”, before he then said, “I like your dog” with his face lit up with a big friendly smile.

He was about eight years old I suppose. Just an ordinary little fellow making his way along the footpath, pushing his bike  -  not riding, as the hill is steep.

 
Why was I so surprised? I really don’t know.

I have dealt with kids of all sizes throughout my life as a school teacher. Most children in my care have been pleasant happy little souls. Many I have really loved.

Several, I suspect (at the time) might have almost loved me.

And yet, here I am, in retirement, not thinking much of small children any more. I have forgotten what charming creatures they can be. (They can also be little monsters and even unlikeable – but there’s always a reason for that).

 
Of course, if you only take notice of complaints and television reports of how “today’s children” are all spoilt brats; how they focus only on computer screens and such and are uninterested in life in general, it gives the impression that kids are not nice to know. Too much emphasis is aired on ‘rude’ children, ‘out of control’ children and those who are generally badly behaved.

I think that’s often an attitude towards ALL people, towards all communities and all nations. It’s the general negative approach to ‘the other’ that seems the norm.

Today as I walked along the pathway, I saw a child on a skateboard coming my way. I stepped to one side of the path to allow him an unhindered ride. As  he passed, I was greeted with a smile as he called out “Thank you”.

So another happy, active and polite kid.

Thinking on other recent afternoon walks, I recall similar situations; twice where a child has said, “Good afternoon”, and several where young skate boarders or kids on scooters have thanked me for making their pathway clear.

Most children I come across do not fit what seems to be the common perception of “today’s children”. Perhaps it’s a figment of adult imagination. Or exaggeration of some situations.

 
Perhaps that’s the same when it comes to the adult population and communities in general.

Maybe if we adults acted more as these young polite kids do, there would be fewer ‘road rage’ incidents, and, ultimately fewer conflicts leading to fewer wars.

One could only hope!  

Anyway, I send a silent ‘congratulations’ message to the kids in our area.

Perhaps it shouldn’t be so silent.

Maybe I will be a ‘nice old lady’, instead of a ‘grumpy old lady” and send an email to the principal of our local school praising the children for their civility – and smiles!

One step at a time.


 

 

 


 

 


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author notes

    I choose to comment on social issues and write creatively on a variety of subjects -  for a variety of audiences.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012

    Categories

    All
    Childhood
    House
    Kindness
    On Death
    Social Comment
    Writing

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • About me
  • Short stories
    • Death in the Desert
    • Secrets
    • Airport Drama
    • Acacia
    • Two Chooks in December
    • A Darned Surprise
    • The Sunset Mermaid
    • Friend or Foe?
    • At Rainbow's End
    • Sisterly Love
    • Good Times to Come
    • Being Famous
    • Something Special for Dinner
    • Walter's Secret
    • The Visitor
  • Children's stories
    • The Red Silk Kite
    • The Singing Tree
    • Beatrice Barnfeather
    • Garth's bath
    • Little Dog Tambo
    • Flowers For a Special Day
  • Non Fiction
    • Letter to a Soldier
    • The Body
    • Autumn Saturday
    • A Year With Billy
    • Lunch
    • Harry's Story
    • 2007 bushfires
    • My Father's Kite
    • Death of a Chook
    • Gentle Heartache
    • Shopping with Sisters
    • When I am Old
    • Matilda
    • Fragments
  • Blog