Comments on: As a Kid…and a whole lot more that got added in as I started writing

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:13:08 +0000

hey Justin!

i haven’t read anything yet but your emails and your blogs look tight.

just checking in.

much love,
b

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:53:25 +0000

So Amy, I was reading your comment and I would take that whole brining the annoying, disrespectful kids into your home to another level. Not only will they influence your child, but you have the opportunity to influence THEM. This is something that Justin’s parents have done as well, especially to Nate’s friends. The kids that didn’t have family, they invited them into their own home. I hope I am like that, but I know it will be a struggle. Hopefully I can work on that now in little areas, so that when Maisie starts bringing friends over, I will be able to really engage with them. LOVE YOU!

By: Svest-in-law

Svest-in-law — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:52:55 +0000

Wow. I am really falling in love with your blog Justin. Jason thinks I should marry it. I just might…but then would I be considered a polygamist?

Anyway, I really enjoyed this post Justin. I loved your bullet points about what your parents did to help you “navigate where you were and the issues you were facing”. This is something that Jason and I strive to do with our kids as well. Number 4 was probably something that I needed to read the most. (And actually strive to do). I have had such a bad attitude when it comes to the neighborhood kids. If they are good kids and polite, I engage them and ask them questions about themselves, but if they drive me up the wall and are rude and don’t seem to have boundaries or are disrespectful, I seem to ignore them and go into a room where they are NOT. Which is horrible. I know. My patience level needs to be worked on big time. But I also realized while reading that bullet point was that THOSE are actually the kids that I need to engage in more than the others. As they have the bigger influence on my son in more of a negative light. I need to see what is going on at all times, what their interests are and actually talk to them about their lives rather than shutting them out because they bug me. Anyway…yes, I am brutally honest. Judge if you must people…but whatever. At least I am real with my faults and work on them. (did I just get defensive?) Okay…sorry…this is your blog Justin. Thanks for it!

By: Christine

Christine — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 22:02:54 +0000

this post brought back all sorts of memories for me. when i was growing up, we learned as children, the moral values of all we did. however, out in our rural community i remember that so many more of our neighbors had an education of a different sort…beer drinkers across the street, and kids that swore. may not sound like big stuff, but the ourada kids would NEVER consider it! we played outdoors til waaay late at night, and dodged ‘cow pies’ as we skidded toward the bases in the neighbor’s field. there were occasions for me to get in lots of trouble…and sometimes i did…a little bit (kissing the neighbor boy behind the shed…but didn’t have a clue as to how to do it, so he wasn’t tempted to take it any farther).

the way my parents brought me up came back around after i did all the stupid things in my early 20’s. i’m grateful for my experiences (for the most part), but more grateful that it was the influence of my family which brought me back to the place of understanding Jesus and seeing Him through their perspective. though i attended catholic school in my elementary years, it was the following years that really defined the person God wanted me to be….

By: richard abbott

richard abbott — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:10:00 +0000

Fascinating to read an alternative perspective on education to the one I have previously experienced in the US. I have American friends who extol the virtues of Christian schools and home schooling but it has always made me uneasy. I am all for protecting kids from harm and ensuring that they get the best education but, from what I have seen, it can result in control and, in effect, brain washing.

Several particular concerns struck me (1) the system seems to be designed to prevent genuine enquiry that could threaten a pre-ordained position. The most obvious example, though not the only one is evolution; (2) It can be used to ensure that girls grow up to bake cookies rather than be nuclear scientists. Don’t get me wrong - we need cookies!! but I have seen Christian education being used to close off options for girls (3) The degree of control can be used to ensure that abuse is covered up. (4) On issues such as sex and dating, I am concerned that the strict, no questions or dissent allowed approach leads to teenagers being unable to voice legitimate questions and to issues being driven underground. Indeed, I met a Christian who had taken her child out of a Christian school for this reason.