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R.I.P. Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were lost long ago, lost in bureaucratic red tape.
Less impressive is the notion that availability of computer games and television programmes (often involving violence) is good parenting. I’m also firmly of the view that parents, teachers and the public have been systematically “de-powered” by an ever-increasing raft of government regulations.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn’t always fair and maybe it was my fault.
The low percentage of male teachers particularly at pre-school and primary level, is a concern especially when there is no consistent male role model in the home situation (for whatever reason). But in saying that I know some really terrific young people who have been raised by solo parents. It’s always dangerous to generalise.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
The anti-smacking legislation is a classic example of a “knee-jerk” reaction to a problem that exists in probably less than 1 per cent of the population. No-one would condone the level of assault carried out in a small number of very high-profile cases that have grabbed media headlines in the past few years – the difference is the use of common sense. I very much doubt that an Act of Parliament will make one iota of difference to a parent or guardian in a rage fuelled by drugs or alcohol, who is administering “discipline” to a child.
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do, in disciplining their unruly children.
However, in support of a ministry proposal for formal parenting education is the fact that too many parents (guardians) lack the skills to distinguish between needs and wants when managing the family budget. Basic healthy food items are neither expensive or difficult to obtain – or grow – in this food-producing nation. In some cases substituting the bottle of beer, Lotto ticket or dog roll for fresh fruit, cereal and bread would be a great decision!
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home but the burglar could have you fined for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
My point is that so often parenting is all about getting the priorities right. There is no magic formula to success. It all goes back to basic common-sense personal values that are the result of good parenting.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter Responsibility and his son, Reason. He is survived by three step-brothers, I know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I’m a Victim.
For those interested I again offer the following piece forwarded by a friend.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone. Were the good old days really that bad? I rest my case.
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