10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids

“Childhood is the fiery furnace in which we are melted down to essentials and that essential shaped for good.”

~ Katherine Anne Porter

Blowing bubbles

As a writer, and I hope, a thought-leader on childhood issues, I spend a lot of time speaking to parents, educators, and other grown-ups.

Today, I want to speak to the kids. Hopefully, some of their grown-ups listen in.

10 things I wish for Today’s Kids:

1. That the media stops scaring the crap out of your parents 24-7, so that they think the only place you are safe is tucked away in the house.

2. That the decision-makers get down to business with true education reform so that you have the opportunity to learn to LOVE to learn, and not just learn (um, maybe) what will be on a test.

3. That we “grown-ups” stop being so lawsuit happy, so that liability is not the first thing on the minds of educators, parks and recreation professionals, community associations, and other parents. I hope with all my might that you are actually allowed to play and have fun in this life.

4. That you realize that you have choices, and the right to make mistakes — and the world will not stop spinning when you do.

5. That your parents set a limit on screen time. I know, you don’t want to hear this, but trust me on this one – it’s a must.

6. That you learn to LOVE to read. Even if they do make a movie about it, you can bet the book is better. Learn to get lost in a story and try your hand at writing your own.

7. That you spend every moment you can outside. Check out the woods, the beach, the mountains, and everything else in between. Let nature awe you.

8. That you learn to be fearless, bold, and let your freak flag wave. I don’t mean live dangerously — but I do mean have the guts and gumption to really live and don’t be afraid to be yourself.

9. That you don’t get everything you want, that things don’t always come easily to you, that sometimes you fall flat on your face, and that you figure out (um, eventually) that these are all good things.

10. That you get the freedom to breathe and the space to explore the world and figure out who you are in it.

So, that’s it. I have a lot of hopes and wishes for you guys, but what I want most of all is for you to grow up knowing how to appreciate life as the rich and fascinating ride that it is, and to know how to dust yourselves off and pick yourselves up when things get tough, because they will.

Oh that, and to really know how to laugh — deep, from the belly, bone-stirring laughter. It’s one of the greatest skills you can ever learn.

Enjoy the ride and great good luck, kiddos. I will be rooting for you.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Creative Commons License photo credit: Dottie Mae

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This entry was written by Bethe, posted on June 1, 2011 at 7:35 AM, filed under nature, parenting, play. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback.

41 Responses

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  1. Jennifer
    June 1, 2011 at 2:38 PM | Reply

    I love this post!!! Thank you thank you!

  2. Bethe
    June 1, 2011 at 5:42 PM | Reply

    Thank you, Jennifer!

  3. Candy Lawrence
    June 1, 2011 at 7:19 PM | Reply

    THAT IS WONDERFUL. I am SO linking this page to my blog.
    Candy Lawrence´s last [type] ..I hate preschool rest time! -an alternative system for courageous carers

  4. katepickle
    June 1, 2011 at 10:47 PM | Reply

    I recently read a parenting book – well started to but the beginning sentence was “What do you want for you children? What is the one thing you REALLY want for them?” Initially I thought that would be easy to answer but it’s not… in the end I decided I simply wanted them to be happy… no matter what. But this list adds in a lot of the other things I was thinking as well. Great list… lets hope our kids are lucky enough to have them all.

  5. Fabulosokids
    June 1, 2011 at 11:27 PM | Reply

    Do you lead a movement or anything, ’cause I’d like to join. Let’s give kids back their childhoods!
    Fabulosokids´s last [type] ..Beware Posters Bearing Lists

  6. Bethe
    June 2, 2011 at 8:23 PM | Reply

    Thanks Bruce, Kate & Candy! The more we raise our voices, the closer I hope we can get our society back on track re: childhood, education, etc.

    Look for the #playoutdoors movement on Twitter & join in the fun! :-) Bethe

  7. Emily
    June 3, 2011 at 9:32 AM | Reply

    LOVE this Bethe! :) I agree with everything 100%. Spread the word! Keep shouting until people start paying attention – I’ll shout with you.
    Emily´s last [type] ..Mug rugs!

  8. letthechildrenplay
    June 3, 2011 at 10:43 AM | Reply

    I can't tell you how much I love this post from the wonderful Grass Stain Guru. What do you wish for today's kids? http://fb.me/C9v8wORv

  9. jeanne
    June 3, 2011 at 2:27 PM | Reply

    lovely list! made me smile :)
    jeanne´s last [type] ..children in motion

  10. We R All EcoLeaders
    June 3, 2011 at 4:07 PM | Reply

    10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids – The Grass Stain Guru aka @balmeras http://ht.ly/59xaW

  11. Regarding Baby
    June 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM | Reply

    10 wishes for today's children. I love this, and share these same wishes. http://fb.me/Omz56Qp8

  12. Bethe
    June 3, 2011 at 8:42 PM | Reply

    Thanks Jeanne & Emily — appreciate the support! :-)

  13. BabyCalm classes
    June 3, 2011 at 10:47 PM | Reply

    we like this lots – what do you wish for your baby? http://fb.me/Ru9kD03z

  14. grace corrao
    June 4, 2011 at 2:54 AM | Reply

    i’ve been a parent for a long time. I love you Shannon

  15. Ballyhoo Toys
    June 4, 2011 at 8:18 AM | Reply

    we like this lots – what do you wish for your baby? http://fb.me/Ru9kD03z

  17. The OTCK Team
    June 4, 2011 at 11:32 PM | Reply

    10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids http://t.co/Mvm6QSE

  19. Teacher Tom
    June 5, 2011 at 11:34 AM | Reply

    Beautifully said, Bethe! Right on!
    Teacher Tom´s last [type] ..While You And I Have Lips

  20. Rebekah
    June 5, 2011 at 5:44 PM | Reply

    Beautiful!
    One wish I could add is that children feel comfortable getting dirty. You know your clothes need washing and you need a bath.

  23. Bethe
    June 6, 2011 at 5:04 PM | Reply

    Thanks, Tom! That’s high praise indeed. :-)

  24. Danielle
    June 8, 2011 at 1:44 AM | Reply

    This is a great post and wonderful list!

  25. Jennifer @ Natural P
    June 27, 2011 at 11:28 PM | Reply

    What a sweet post! I wish more people understood what it is that kids really need: love, support, freedom, and laughter! This is a very succinct list of just those things. Thank you.

  26. Bethe
    June 28, 2011 at 7:54 AM | Reply

    Thanks, Jennifer!!

  29. Deborah McNelis
    September 18, 2011 at 8:51 PM | Reply

    LOVE THIS LIST from Bethe Almeras !! ~ Aren't these wonderful wishes?!! Do you have any of your own to add? http://t.co/HDbHMeYM

  30. Linda Molica
    September 18, 2011 at 8:57 PM | Reply

    LOVE THIS LIST from Bethe Almeras !! ~ Aren't these wonderful wishes?!! Do you have any of your own to add? http://t.co/HDbHMeYM

  31. L.R.Knost-Author
    September 18, 2011 at 9:04 PM | Reply

    Good stuff! via Braininsights Activity Packets http://t.co/6XczeMiK

  32. Vivien Sabel
    September 18, 2011 at 9:54 PM | Reply

    YESSS!! This is WONDERFUL!! RT@balmeras 10 Things I Wish for Today’s #Kids http://t.co/7hj2UDZT #play #children #parenting #change

  33. Brenda Hardie
    September 18, 2011 at 10:35 PM | Reply

    RT 10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids http://t.co/X5GXpw1x

  35. Maria Dobrinskaya
    September 19, 2011 at 4:43 AM | Reply

    A good list – 10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids http://t.co/VNJoWene

  36. Bethe Almeras
    September 20, 2011 at 1:18 PM | Reply

    This about sums it up: 10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids http://t.co/8Yg0TnMw

  37. NJ Tree Foundation
    September 20, 2011 at 1:20 PM | Reply

    PERFECT! RT @balmeras This about sums it up: 10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids http://t.co/3RmIGobr

  38. Dr. Laura Markham
    September 23, 2011 at 4:00 PM | Reply

    RT @brendaatbaylake: 10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids http://t.co/50hvNA39 via Grass Stain Guru

  39. Bethe Almeras
    September 26, 2011 at 12:06 AM | Reply

    One of my fave posts: 10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids http://t.co/8Yg0TnMw

  41. Time for Play
    September 26, 2011 at 12:19 AM | Reply

    One of my fave posts: 10 Things I Wish for Today’s Kids http://t.co/8Yg0TnMw

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