Comments on: 7 Reasons it Takes a Parent http://www.betsysblog.com/wordpress/2007/03/22/7-reasons-it-takes-a-parent/ Let’s look at things a little differently.... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:40:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Lenona http://www.betsysblog.com/wordpress/2007/03/22/7-reasons-it-takes-a-parent/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Lenona Thu, 05 Apr 2007 22:45:21 +0000 http://www.betsyhart.net/wordpress/?p=11#comment-26 Um, what happened to MY post - which came after Christy's? First it was there, now it isn't. Very odd. The gist of my post was that while we shouldn't settle for mediocrity in kids' schoolwork, we shouldn't focus on grades rather than effort (and especially, we shouldn't blame the teacher), because either one can tempt the kids to cheat. Um, what happened to MY post – which came after Christy’s? First it was there, now it isn’t. Very odd. The gist of my post was that while we shouldn’t settle for mediocrity in kids’ schoolwork, we shouldn’t focus on grades rather than effort (and especially, we shouldn’t blame the teacher), because either one can tempt the kids to cheat.

]]> By: Sue Miller http://www.betsysblog.com/wordpress/2007/03/22/7-reasons-it-takes-a-parent/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Sue Miller Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:48:34 +0000 http://www.betsyhart.net/wordpress/?p=11#comment-25 I appreciate your column so much! I read it in the Sunday Chicago Sun Times. Actually your column is the only one I read. I believe it's very unusual to read a column by someone living by biblical principles, and actually writing about them! I especially appreciated Sunday's column. It is so counter cultural. As a mom of 2 grown boys I could relate to the statement your friend made about the days being so long and the years are so short, that is so true. You sound like you're doing a great job with your children, keep persevering and blessing them! I appreciate your column so much! I read it in the Sunday Chicago Sun Times. Actually your column is the only one I read. I believe it’s very unusual to read a column by someone living by biblical principles, and actually writing about them! I especially appreciated Sunday’s column. It is so counter cultural. As a mom of 2 grown boys I could relate to the statement your friend made about the days being so long and the years are so short, that is so true. You sound like you’re doing a great job with your children, keep persevering and blessing them!

]]> By: John http://www.betsysblog.com/wordpress/2007/03/22/7-reasons-it-takes-a-parent/comment-page-1/#comment-24 John Mon, 02 Apr 2007 18:29:32 +0000 http://www.betsyhart.net/wordpress/?p=11#comment-24 Loved the column/adaptation of your address to the Willow Creek Association Children’s Ministry Conference 2007. I wanted to share a couple of entries I am leaving to my son in diary form. Your item #5 reminded me of my entries from long ago, long before he had been accepted to the doctoral program at the Princeton plasma physics lab: Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. - Cicero If I could give you my son but one gift, it would be a grateful heart. – Dad There is calmness to life lived in gratitude, a quite joy. – Ralph H. Blum Loved the column/adaptation of your address to the Willow Creek Association Children’s Ministry Conference 2007. I wanted to share a couple of entries I am leaving to my son in diary form. Your item #5 reminded me of my entries from long ago, long before he had been accepted to the doctoral program at the Princeton plasma physics lab:

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. – Cicero

If I could give you my son but one gift, it would be a grateful heart. – Dad

There is calmness to life lived in gratitude, a quite joy. – Ralph H. Blum

]]> By: Christy http://www.betsysblog.com/wordpress/2007/03/22/7-reasons-it-takes-a-parent/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Christy Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:59:34 +0000 http://www.betsyhart.net/wordpress/?p=11#comment-23 I loved this article…it is exactly the way I strived to raise my three sons, one of which is in the ministry, and two who are planning to be in the ministry. From the time they were born, my goal was that they not just be good kids, but extraordinary human beings who put God first and others before themselves. I read the two emails before mine. The first one compares apples to oranges. As long as she is an unbeliever, she will never understand. However, I’m trying to figure out where Jennifer is coming from in her email. Betsy, in no way, bashed Harvard or education. She even made the point that it would be great of one of the kids did go to Harvard, that’s just not the most important thing in life. Most important is our eternity and matter of the Kingdom. Seek first the kingdom of God, and all of these things will be added to you…even education. I loved this article…it is exactly the way I strived to raise my three sons, one of which is in the ministry, and two who are planning to be in the ministry. From the time they were born, my goal was that they not just be good kids, but extraordinary human beings who put God first and others before themselves.
I read the two emails before mine. The first one compares apples to oranges. As long as she is an unbeliever, she will never understand.
However, I’m trying to figure out where Jennifer is coming from in her email. Betsy, in no way, bashed Harvard or education. She even made the point that it would be great of one of the kids did go to Harvard, that’s just not the most important thing in life. Most important is our eternity and matter of the Kingdom. Seek first the kingdom of God, and all of these things will be added to you…even education.

]]> By: Jennifer Storm http://www.betsysblog.com/wordpress/2007/03/22/7-reasons-it-takes-a-parent/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Jennifer Storm Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:47:06 +0000 http://www.betsyhart.net/wordpress/?p=11#comment-22 Dear Betsy, I really enjoy reading your weekly column—especially when it comes to parenting tips—but I have to take issue with today’s article on successful parenting habits. I guess it’s the phrase “Heaven not Harvard” that bugs me. I know it’s a catchy phrase and all and I understand your point about about raising our kids to be good people, but why does it have to be at the expense of success? Why can’t children be raised to achieve both? I’m the mother of 5 kids and, although I do want them to be kind, generous and compassionate people, I want them to be successful as well and to make sure they are living to their full potential. I guess it would have made a lot more sense to me if you compared wanting them to be Heaven-bound instead of behaving like these young celebs (ie: Paris Hilton) “Heaven not Hilton.” It seems to me there are a lot of bad influences out there like Hilton and her ilk where life is all about fashion and parties and drinking. I don’t see how “Harvard” is the bad guy here. I don’t think it’s a good message to imply that something like a Harvard education and a successful career could jeapordize one’s life as a good person. I think it’s just as important to make sure you help your child reach their full potential as a human being by nurturing their talents intellectually as it is to nurture their hearts. I noticed that your column today is exerpted from a longer talk that you gave, so perhaps something was lost in condensing it and that your theory was more fully explained in your talk, but the column comes across as practically bashing success and education. I guess the article seems a little muddled to me too—because although I hear your points about peservering in the moment and being wise and teaching gratefulness—I don’t understand what all that has to do with or gets in the way of teaching them to be successful? I guess if you had in mind parenting with a Jose Menendez-like ferociousness about being successful at all costs, I would understand where you’re coming from—but I don’t really see that as a problem in today’s society. If anything, it’s the opposite—a viewpoint where it’s ok to be mediocre and “everyone’s a winner” and all that. In schools now there’s no more 1st and 2nd place—it’s all about participation ribbons. I think it’s doing a disservice to kids to teach them that—life does have winners and losers and we all have to do our best with what talents we’ve been given. And this is all in addition to being good-hearted people—one does not have to be at the expense of the other. Thanks for reading! Dear Betsy,

I really enjoy reading your weekly column—especially when it comes to parenting tips—but I have to take issue with today’s article on successful parenting habits.

I guess it’s the phrase “Heaven not Harvard” that bugs me. I know it’s a catchy phrase and all and I understand your point about about raising our kids to be good people, but why does it have to be at the expense of success? Why can’t children be raised to achieve both?

I’m the mother of 5 kids and, although I do want them to be kind, generous and compassionate people, I want them to be successful as well and to make sure they are living to their full potential.

I guess it would have made a lot more sense to me if you compared wanting them to be Heaven-bound instead of behaving like these young celebs (ie: Paris Hilton) “Heaven not Hilton.” It seems to me there are a lot of bad influences out there like Hilton and her ilk where life is all about fashion and parties and drinking. I don’t see how “Harvard” is the bad guy here. I don’t think it’s a good message to imply that something like a Harvard education and a successful career could jeapordize one’s life as a good person. I think it’s just as important to make sure you help your child reach their full potential as a human being by nurturing their talents intellectually as it is to nurture their hearts.

I noticed that your column today is exerpted from a longer talk that you gave, so perhaps something was lost in condensing it and that your theory was more fully explained in your talk, but the column comes across as practically bashing success and education. I guess the article seems a little muddled to me too—because although I hear your points about peservering in the moment and being wise and teaching gratefulness—I don’t understand what all that has to do with or gets in the way of teaching them to be successful?

I guess if you had in mind parenting with a Jose Menendez-like ferociousness about being successful at all costs, I would understand where you’re coming from—but I don’t really see that as a problem in today’s society. If anything, it’s the opposite—a viewpoint where it’s ok to be mediocre and “everyone’s a winner” and all that. In schools now there’s no more 1st and 2nd place—it’s all about participation ribbons. I think it’s doing a disservice to kids to teach them that—life does have winners and losers and we all have to do our best with what talents we’ve been given. And this is all in addition to being good-hearted people—one does not have to be at the expense of the other.

Thanks for reading!

]]> By: Tina http://www.betsysblog.com/wordpress/2007/03/22/7-reasons-it-takes-a-parent/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Tina Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:44:56 +0000 http://www.betsyhart.net/wordpress/?p=11#comment-21 Betsy, you realize that there are people in the U.S who are not Christians-like me. So, are you telling me that the only and correct way to raise children is the Christian way ? And, what makes you so sure about heaven and not so sure about Harvard- have you talked to anyone whose been to heaven ? I’ve talked to people who have been to Harvard. Betsy,

you realize that there are people in the U.S who are not Christians-like me. So, are you telling me that the only and correct way to raise children is the Christian way ? And, what makes you so sure about heaven and not so sure about Harvard- have you talked to anyone whose been to heaven ? I’ve talked to people who have been to Harvard.

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