Our economy and Constitution has becomes such an elaborate web of manipulation and lies that an elementary age child would make a better national leader than the ones we have now. Why? Because they have yet to be corrupted by greed. They have no interest in making new laws. They simply want to have a basic set of rules to follow and some free time for a bit of fun.
Children can only spend what they have. I don’t know about any other parent, but my son has a spending limit. If he has money he’s earned then it’s his to do with what he pleases. I don’t raise his allowance simply because he votes himself in for a raise and I don’t keep paying him for jobs he doesn’t do. He understands this concept far better than most government officials.
Kids are brutally honest. Children who have yet to be taught how to be politically correct will simply tell you what they mean instead of what you want to hear. They aren’t worried about whether or not you have something they want because they haven’t learned the details of political posturing.
Respect for elders is still a rule. Children who are raised to respect their elders would open a door for them rather than waving at them from inside the building. Translate this into the Social Security and Medicare issues currently in debate. An elementary age child would understand that elderly people have already earned something in this country. They shouldn’t be penalized for their age; they should be taken care of.
The same rules apply to everyone. Have you ever seen an elementary student insist that a rich kid be allowed to break rules that no one else can? I doubt it. In fact, children have a very black and white view of the rules. They wouldn’t even know how to apply the concept of buying their way out of a consequence.
Even a preschool child wants to take care of the sick. From the time he could walk, my son would try to help me if I was sick. He might only put a cool cloth to my forehead, but he had the presence of mind to know that someone who is sick should be taken care of. He wouldn’t be sending chicken soup to the neighbors when his mother had a cold. He certainly wouldn’t be sending aid to a neighbor in the hopes of holding them accountable for it later.
You solute soldiers, not deprive them of basic right. My son has the utmost respect for anyone affiliated with the military. His favorite role model is his grandfather who happens to be a veteran. He knows that soldiers fight for a cause and put their lives on the line so that we can hopefully enjoy some freedom from tyranny. He would not only give his seat to a veteran, but thank them as he did so. I can’t imagine one elementary child who would tell a veteran that they should accept a lower standard of living because they knew the risks when they signed up.
No one likes being left out. Every kid fears being the outcast. They see everyone as equal until someone tells them otherwise. Money, skin color and gender don’t even come into play until an adult tell them it does. Even then, they’ll rightfully wonder why this is the case.
Don’t invite more people than you can accommodate. Kids know that you invite your class to the school birthday party, not the whole school. Why? Because there wouldn’t be enough cake for everyone and you should always bring enough to share or nothing at all.
More from this contributor…
Should You Let Your Child Skip a Grade?
Are You a Parent or Are You Politically Correct?
How to Teach Children Financial Responsibility
References: Personal experience