What happened to Kindness?

I found out about a year ago that I fall into the generation category of “millennial.” At first, I was offended… yes, offended. Most characteristics associated with “millenials” are quite negative, embarrassing, accusatory  and outright ridiculous. I wanted no part of that. But eventually my offense became mild acceptance as I realized that a few lazy apples don’t spoil the entire generation.

That being said, I started to wonder about other generations. Those before mine but mostly the ones after me. The babies my former peers and I were having and how they are being raised. I don’t know about you but sadly, I have come to realize that a lot of young parents today are not exactly instilling the classic values in their kids that were instilled in me.

Don’t get me wrong, I am by no means perfect. But I am talking about basic lessons. Saying “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am”, saying “thank you”, being kind just to be kind. A lot of what I see is bad behavior being rewarded with laughter and a recording so the bad behavior can be shared and spread on the parent’s social accounts. Since when was a three-year old telling off an adult with a hip thrust out and an attitude considered cute? Sorry, not sorry that I find that disheartening.

I mention a lot that my own munchkin is only 4 months old. He is super young but he still observes. He can still see and hear everything happening around him. Call me old-fashioned but I fully intend to raise my child to have manners, to respect those older than him, to love God unashamed and be the greatest definition of a gentleman my husband can pour into him. To me that is how you raise a better generation.

There’s so much hate in the world. So many things going wrong and getting worse. To me, lessons in simple things such as being generous, compassionate and showing kindness are things children can learn early and easily. I may just be a random mommy on the interwebs, but trust and believe, those old-fashioned lessons that many no longer want to instill in their kids, could be the difference between a lovable little human and a little terror. Think about it.