|
by Cathy Lloyd, Essence Practitioner
The expression "children are
like sponges" implies children pick-up what
is being spoken in their environment. This is often
quoted to parents to encourage monitoring their child's
TV shows and movies during the developmental years. Not
only does the child "soak" up words and phrases around them, but also the underlying attitude and
tone with which the words were spoken.
The ability of a child to absorb in an osmosis-fashion
from their environment is not a new concept. Further
application of this ability can be used to consider the
indirect effect on behavioral development of the child by
national and world influences which directly
affected the attitude of the family and community in the
child's environment.
Direct Effect
A teenager living during The Great Depression absorbed, first-hand, the shock-effect of his parents'
reaction to mounting financial difficulties. Did the
father lash out and blame the banker? Was there despair
as lack of money forced foreclosure of the family home?
Was the teenager required to work to help support the
family? Did the parents bond with extended family members
or neighbors to work out ingenious ways to stay financially
solvent?
"Soaking" up his parents' reaction creates a behavioral
imprint in the teenager's attitude towards the management
of finances. Unless the teenager is exposed to different
views of handling finances, he will adopt his parents'
attitudes and coping skills as his own.
Generational Effects of Retelling Great Depression Family Stories
The trickle-down effect of these influences can be seen
in subsequent generations as the stories are told and
retold at family dinners, reunions, and weddings.
There is a second and third-hand shock effect as these
stories still carry a great charge to the young family
listener and whether apparent or not, may affect the
development of the listening child.
Will the child aspire to be a clever business person like
his grandparents who were able to keep poverty at bay?
Does the child learn to take pride in self-sacrifice
as there is a retelling of having to do extra work to
buy medicine for an ill neighbor who was without
money?
A Unique Approach
to retelling stories to family
youngsters is to be sure the children understand the
economic differences between the yester-years and today.
If the story is full of sadness, fear, hopelessness, despair
and anxiety be sure to go into deeper context of other options
the person might have tried to bring about success instead of
living a life of difficulties; as there were success stories
during this time of strife.
Resist telling dismal family accountings when the child or teenager
is going through difficult times of their own...consider a family story
that speaks of courage, fortitude, and perseverance.
How were you effected by generational story telling of
the Great Depression...did you carry on the family
trait of having a creative business due to stories of
your grandmother going door-to-door selling fresh
eggs?
Do you find yourself looking after the needs of others
and not yourself? Would you like to buy a new piece
of furniture before the old one is completely worn out,
but resist because you might need the money for something
really important?
Are you stubbing your toe in the dark to save money by
keeping the lights off in the house?
Using flower, gem, and environmental essences is a subtle
way to release the negative affects of generational stories
while maintaining the attributes previous generations developed
to deal with difficult times.
Goal: To Enjoy Treating Myself to Something Special
Red Alder: helps shift from serious and drab to lightness, humor, and playfulness
Giant Stropharia: gives new insight into things you currently do
Order Your Customized Essence Now...
You have permission to publish
this article
on your website
or in your
publication with inclusion
of the following tagline:
Copyright 2006 Cathy Lloyd, Essence Practitioner,
www.auniqueapproach.com
Send a courtesy copy of your publication or
link to
info@auniqueapproach.com
|
