Mr. Eric Woods [dot] com

I’m sure we’ve all said that once or twice when we were a little whipper snappper. Most of the time it was just out of frustration from being disciplined or told that we can’t do something. “I can’t wait till I get older so I can ___________ (fill in the blank). At the time it was being said yea we meant it but after a couple minutes things would simmer down and we would go back to doing what kids do.

I’m sure we all also got that talk from our parents about what growing up is really about, responsibility. Told that we shouldn’t rush to grow up so fast and enjoy being a kid while we can. Told that we are living the good life. Well we all went through the growing pains and have come to see that our parents/elders were not lying at all, lol. Life is filled with responsibility and can sometimes be very harsh.

Now this leads me to the children of this generation. Each and every one so determined to grow up before their time. Trying so hard to be more than what they are, a child. Don’t get me wrong there are some exceptions where a child may have to do some growing up quick and take on extra responsibilities to help out. But that’s not what I am talking about. I’m speaking on the children who feel as if they are grown already and try to act as such. From the way they act and dress all the way to the lack of respect for elders (because they feel they are on the same level)

What happened to kids being kids? When I was younger I had a short list of things to worry about and I really wasn’t trying to add anything else to it. My mind was always on chillin’ outside with my friends, toys, games and allowance. Now a lot of kids seem to have their minds pre-occupied with everything else. Things they shouldn’t be worried about for a good long time. Maybe its the way our society seems to be so accepting of this now. Hey they must be right? You rarely hear or see anyone putting things into perspective for these kids, or keeping them in check, right?

I guess the point I’m trying to ultimately make is that this generation of kids really needs to slow down. They all want to be adults but don’t realize that you can’t just skip steps. There are things you must learn and understand, things you can’t learn in school. Things you will only learn with time. And also I feel as if many kids are missing out and cheating themselves by “forcing” themselves to grow up so quick.

To this day I sometime wish I could go back to those days when things were much simpler. No rent, no bills, no real responsibility. Just stay out of trouble, do what you’re supposed to in school, listen to your parents and do your chores. All the other stuff was taken care of already by your parents. A roof over your head, clothes and hot meals. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.