Search

Home > Portable Practical Pediatrics > Doc Smo’s Holiday Message 2017 (Pedcast)
Podcast: Portable Practical Pediatrics
Episode:

Doc Smo’s Holiday Message 2017 (Pedcast)
Category: Kids & family
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2017-11-19 20:27:03
Description: Topic Introduction Doc Smo here. Happy holidays! Each year I put aside the talks about bedwetting, allergies, pneumonia, and good nutrition for your children to focus on a topic that I think is equally important for your family.  Not a medical topic but a parenting topic. This year I want to give you some practical advise about shaping your children's character and their outlook toward others. A big task but an important one. So, here comes my 2017 holiday message. I hope you enjoy it. I think we all can agree the world seems to be getting into more and more of a mess. Global warming, global political conspiracies, global terrorism, and global threats of nuclear war? We haven't gone postal, we seem to have collectively gone global? Today's threats aren't just local, but planetary.  And one thing I am sure of is that your children are paying attention to all this chaos and wondering what is happening? They can't avoid all the negativity with all this hate circulating around them on 24 hour cable news, on social media, on their ever present mobile devices, and even at school in the form of bullying, social clicks, and gangs. It's easy for children to fall into the abyss of hopelessness. Not only are your children worrying about these horrific events that they are hearing and seeing with video of everything instantly available but they are undoubtedly wondering who will protect them and what is their escape from all this chaos?  Is there any wonder why are in the midst of an opioid crisis? You are probably thinking, "This a heavy topic for a holiday post Doc Smo."  I know but I have some ideas I want to share with you about how you can help your children counteract the negativity they are witnessing and even begin moving toward more understanding and tolerance.   So, don't you dare stop listening to this important episode of Portable Practical Pediatrics. It just may be the most important 10 minutes you spend this year.   Musical Introduction   How do we counter these destructive forces on our children? Use your influence. Idea #1 - Start Local I don't think I need to convince you that world events are very troubling but how do we counter all these negative forces.  I'll tell you what I think, we must start locally.  Think about it, in modern society, in contemporary America like a lot of places in the world, we are very quick to construct barriers between us and those that are different from us. We choose schools and neighborhoods to live in to get near people like ourselves and exclude others.   We live increasingly in gated communities with people who mostly look just like ourselves.  We choose to socialize with people that we have a lot in common with rather than seeking to meet people who come from different backgrounds.   It's all so safe and predictable. It's comfortable... but polarizing. Our instincts that are undoubtedly ancient and tribal, tell us to live this way but following these instincts has gotten us into the rut of polarization, demonization of people we don't know much about, and living our lives in fear of others. Tribal existence was once the key to our ancestor's survival but today I believe it could be at the root of our destruction. I think accepting and learning to appreciate people who are different is our only way forward; and that works starts locally, with you and your children, in your schools, in your neighborhood, and your communities at large. Idea #2 - Parents need to set a good example for their children We've talked about the need for parents to set a good example for their children before but I feel now, more than ever, parents need to use their powerful influence by putting aside cynicism and negativity and living a life that is positive and inclusive. Your children need to be shown that small acts of kindness, volunteering on the behalf of other, openness to people who come from different cultures and backgrounds can be fulfilling and downright refreshing.
Total Play: 0