Vitamin N

Hey friends and family!  I am sure this week was good for you, at least I hope that it was.  It has been a fun one for me full of friends, dates, and most importantly, my family relations class. 😊 We went over some pretty important stuff this week in class.  Related to last week, we spoke about parenting, and even more specifically, correction for children.

            Growing up, I remember having many friends who seemed to get everything that they wanted.  If they wanted the new PlayStation 3, then they would have gotten it.  If they wanted a new phone, then they would have gotten it.  In all honesty, this kind of frustrated me because my parents did not raise me the same way.  Of course they provided for me, but in no way was I spoiled or did I get whatever I wanted.  I remember looking to my friends and wondering why they get all these fancy things while I did not even get a flip phone till I was 16.  It was a frustrating thing for me to learn that it is important for us to understand in life that we should not get whatever we want!  I actually just finished watching a video that Prager University put up about a “vitamin” called “Vitamin N.”  This vitamin (in the development of children) is arguably more important than the rest of the vitamins that we commonly talk about.  This Vitamin N is simply the word “no.”  Prager U drew some interesting connections between childhood happiness and trending parenting style of pampering.  When I was young, I remember learning clearly that if I wanted something, then I needed to work for it.  Looking back, those things that I felt that I needed (the newest video games, phones, cool toys, etc.) turned out to not be as important to me when I learned that if I were to get it, I would have to go out and earn some cash.  My parents wanted me to learn that life is not free, and for that I thank them.  I know many people who were pampered growing up, and if anything, they are simply not as happy in life.  They realized quickly that when you move out, nobody is going to stand there with an open hand giving you whatever you want.  It is interesting for me to watch these people, because as they go out into life unhappy, they eventually end up pampering their own children, trying to make them feel happy.  This turns into a brutal cycle that seems to be almost a passed on “addiction” to getting whatever you want.  I am sorry to say people, but life does not work that way.  You may know that, but do your children?  Do you find yourselves saying “yes” to them more than you probably should?  I suggest that you take a moment and look at your own parenting styles (if you have children), or outlook on life and be very critical on what you expect from those around you.  Think about how much better off we would all be if people simply understood the blessings and satisfaction that comes from earning your own keep.  There would be much more respect out there and people would be much more understanding of each other and in differing positions. 

            Anyways, I thought that was a pretty profound lesson this week.  Hopefully it helped somebody to better understand the importance of the word “no” or simply not getting whatever you want in life.  It is healthy, I promise.