Our Grandchildren’s America: What This Nana Worries About

Our Grandchildren’s America

I am not a fortune teller and the only crystal balls I have are the broken ones that critters and grandchildren have knocked off the Christmas tree. But for what it’s worth (and there will be varying opinions on that) here is what I see as the good, bad and ugly of the world’s problems our grandchildren will inherit.

In order to limit the number of problems discussed I looked at todays headlines on some online sites and the ones that made the front page of their publication are the ones I’m addressing. These are my online sources, The New York Times and U.S.A Today but I also address some of the good, bad and ugly nearer to home.

International Relations

At first I started naming countries who are the top of the list as threats to America, but that didn’t seem right because by the time my grandchildren are grown there will be other hot spots around the world. When I was a little girl I was afraid of Russia and Vietnam because my parents watched the nightly news from our supper table. Walter Cronkite informed us of the days body count while we ate biscuits and gravy. I don’t know if this affected my brother or not. He was 3 years younger and it probably went over his head, but it terrified me.

All of our international problems are directly connected to the issue of how much involvement the United States has in world affairs, which is something each generation has to decide for itself and this leads us to another problem.

Leadership

What does it take to make a great leader and who do you think of if I ask you “Who was the greatest leader in your lifetime?” Whoever you chose I bet they are someone you believe knew the truth and spoke truth. Someone who could make decisions based on the good of the people and not an upcoming election. In my opinion, there is a BIG shortage of great leaders and I can’t see this changing in my lifetime. Many times I have voted for the lesser of 2 evils.

If I turned the above question around and asked you “Who was the worst leader of your lifetime?” I bet the answer would be much easier.

So should we just throw up our hands and stop voting? Definitely not, but the world is in desperate need of better leaders.

I will vote in every election for as long as I live and am of sound mind and I hope all my grandchildren (and yours too) will do the same. Let me share a personal story with you about teaching our children and grandchildren about the importance of voting.

The last election my daughter and son-in-law voted at different times. The children went with both parents. My daughter couldn’t get to the polls until after dark. The kids were tired and hungry and they had to stand in line for an hour (which to a child is FOREVER). My granddaughter asked her mom why they couldn’t just go home. Her mother answered, “Because this is important. Women haven’t always had the right to vote.” That launched a conversation about voting rights and the history of America’s freedom. I was so proud of my daughter and son-in-law for teaching by example.

I can’t leave this subject without saying that the only possible resolution I can think of to the question “How do we get better leadership in America?” is term limits for the house and senate and dedicated parents (or guardians) who instill in kids a love of country, patriotism, good character and the ability to make the right decisions under pressure. One of your grandchildren could be a leader in their community, state, or nation one day. Grandparents and parents can help by talking to our grandchildren about character, patriotism and politics.

The next time you are at a loss for what to talk about on a long car ride, give them a history lesson. Take them to museums, historical monuments and if you can, a trip to Washington D.C. and visit Arlington. They will never forget it.

Disease

My mother died of colon cancer and my dad of a heart attack. While there hasn’t been a cure for cancer or heart disease there have been so many advances in medicine and treatment. Just yesterday I listened to a story about a man who lived for 2 months after having a pig heart transplant. And there are too many advances in colon cancer treatment to even list here.

What diseases and health issues will our grandchildren face? We can’t say for sure but what we can know and do is educate them on preventative care. Obesity, smoking, vaping, lack of exercise, diet and many more problems are things we should be talking to them (and being a good example) about whenever we can.

Screen Time

Are you familiar with Maria Ressa? If not, I strongly encourage you to read about her in the links I have provided. She is a Nobel Peace prize winner from the Philippines. What does Maria have to do with grandchildren and screen time? Trust me, she is important. Read the articles and think about America of the future, the one your grandchildren will live in. Do we want them living in an America divided by social media powerhouses that share news whether it is true or fake?

I grew up in the 60s. I know we were a divided country then but sadly I think it’s much worse now. To me it feels like a piece of paper that has been ripped into little shreds and tossed about by a tornado. Like Humpty Dumpty it may never be put back together again. I hope that’s not true. I hope we can find a way to reunite but if we don’t make changes soon our grandchildren may never know the real meaning of a “United” States of America.

Besides the problems Ressa addresses in her book I have to share with you some things I have witnessed about social media and cell phones and children. First, many children are given access to the internet and cell phones way before they are old enough. I once saw a man purchase a very expensive I-phone for his 5 year old son. I’ve shared my thoughts about cell phones several times but I can’t say it enough….cell phones are affecting our children and grandchildren adversely.

I am a teacher and I taught before the cell phone age and after: there is a BIG difference. I no longer teach full time but I do sub. I know students try to get away with more when there is a sub in the classroom than their regular teacher. But it is ingrained in me to try to do what the classroom teacher asked me to do when she can’t be there. Friends, this is the Impossible Dream as long as there are cellphones in the classroom. If you think your child isn’t distracted in the classroom by their phone….think again. They are.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. What they do with cell phones after school and at home is a different issue with it’s own set of problems.

Here is an article about students and cell phone usage I hope all parents, grandparents, educators and school board members will read.

If you only get one “take away” from this section about screen time I hope it’s that no matter who you are; parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, concerned citizen, we have to decrease screen time. It’s changing our communities, our schools and most importantly, our children and grandchildren.

Love

As promised by the title, Our Grandchildren’s America: The Good, Bad and Ugly, I saved the best for last. The fact that you are reading this very long article means you are concerned about America’s future and that’s a good thing because the first step is recognizing there is a need to change things. How and if we do that is an individual choice.

Shout out to grandparents (or other family members) raising grandchildren and keeping grandchildren while parents work….what an opportunity you have to make a difference in their lives and the future of America.

Sometimes it is hard to know how we can help. Consider the different ways to help. Financially. Physically (babysitting and raising grands in need, taking food to give mom a break) and Spiritually (being a good example and addressing children’s spiritual needs).

It breaks my heart to substitute in a classroom where I see that far too many kids are raising themselves. My eye sight isn’t the best but I have very acute hearing. I overhear conversations of children where no one is home but them. I see children choking down meals at school and then stuffing rolls and other food in their pockets. I see kids who look at other students cell phones, tennis shoes, clothes and jewelry with envy shining in their eyes.

They desperately need someone to love them.

The Good

You won’t see or hear good news if you get all your information from a local network or a major news channel, but it’s out there.

When I pray about our grandchildren’s America, I know that He hears and I’m hoping you will pray about it too.

Good lives in the innocence of a child. It speaks volumes about the hope and trust I have in our Lord to take care of all the tomorrows, especially the ones that belong to my grandchildren.

Your Thoughts about our grandchildren’s America

What are the issues I didn’t discuss that you see in their future? Let me know and I’ll write about it next time!

My friend Sheila commented that we need to do better at “being Jesus.” I couldn’t agree more. How will you be Jesus today, tomorrow and the next day. Find a way. The world is depending on us.

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