General Discussion

LiberalEsto

(22,845 posts)

19. Mattering!

Sun Dec 25, 2011, 08:15 PM

Dec 2011

"So many of our young, disenfranchised people need to feel like they "matter." "

These days it starts with the parents who can't shut off their cell phones long enough to have a conversation, even if it's just baby talk, with their children.

It breaks my heart to see tiny kids trudging along holding a parent's hand while the parent's other hand is holding the phone that's occupying 99.5% o0f their time and attention. I am so afraid that these little ones will grow up feeling that they don't matter, even to the people who are supposed to love them the most - their parents.

My kids were born when cell phones were still new, and not everybody had them yet. Even so, I wouldn't have yammered away with someone while pushing my children in grocery carts. I talked to my daughters, pointed out things like fruits and vegetables, engaged them in face to face conversation. That's how a child learns.

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Highlight:

A Kennedy Christmas Story: the gift my mother never forgot [View all] nashville_brook Dec 2011 OP

That's a beautiful story. Merry Christmas. shraby Dec 2011 #1

Thank you, that made me cry. I had a friend who also associated with the Kennedy family and they... freshwest Dec 2011 #2

if there was one thing mother wanted me to know, it was that 'good people' are everywhere nashville_brook Dec 2011 #4

That's a beautiful remembrance & a lovely Christmas Eve story, NB. DirkGently Dec 2011 #3

awww :) nashville_brook Dec 2011 #5

There are two ways to remember the story you told us this evening ... her name ... Olivette peacetalksforall Dec 2011 #6

it's a beautiful name. nashville_brook Dec 2011 #8

Great story told well! ... Recommended Bozita Dec 2011 #7

Merry Christmas, Brooksie! Octafish Dec 2011 #9

Merry Christmas to you too, Octafish! nashville_brook Dec 2011 #11

I miss mine too, nashville. Thank you for a wonderful OP, a beautiful tribute to your mother. Mnemosyne Dec 2011 #10

... nashville_brook Dec 2011 #12

... Mnemosyne Dec 2011 #16

Thank you so much for this story! mikekohr Dec 2011 #13

and, a big happy new year! nashville_brook Dec 2011 #21

"That she mattered" BeHereNow Dec 2011 #14

Merry Christmas to you! nashville_brook Dec 2011 #18

Mattering! LiberalEsto Dec 2011 #19

that's an interesting point -- hadn't thought about distractions and "mattering" nashville_brook Dec 2011 #20

And all these years later notes of joy and love still ring 'round the world this Christmas . . . NBachers Dec 2011 #15

it's amazing how the smallest kindness can affect change nashville_brook Dec 2011 #17

Thanks for sharing....our contry needs more like Rose Kennedy Tippy Dec 2011 #22

What a beautiful story TuxedoKat Dec 2011 #23