Came across the Society's latest video from the "Become Jehovah's Friend" series, today. http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/family/children/become-jehovahs-friend/videos/please-thank-you/ In the video, Caleb's mother over-reacts and drops a bowl (to the sound of dramatic music) when Caleb asks for a sandwich but forgets to say "please." (The lesson is about teaching children manners.) I appreciate that Caleb's mother is only a cartoon character. But her character does display passive-aggressive behaviour. (Have a lot of experience watching people and the manner in which they behave.) If she were a person in real life, I would recommend to her that she have therapy to deal with the passive-aggressive behaviour, as well as seeking help to learn coping strategies that would enable her to deal with stress. THEN she would be in a position to parent in a more effective manner. Simple logic would tell me that if she doesn't change her parenting style, when Caleb enters his teenage years, he will not be inclined to confide in his mother due to the fact that in the past she has shown melodramatic behaviour and over-reacts to situations. If she is unable to handle the small issues now, how will she handle the major ones later on? Proverbs 22:3 - "Shrewd is the one that has seen the calamity and proceeds to conceal himself, but the inexperienced have passed along and must suffer the penalty." The Governing Body need to realise that to teach others is a weighty responsibility. For that reason, wouldn't it be wise to use as a teaching tool, a parent who is able to display the fruits of the spirit (i.e self-control, long-suffering.)? Perhaps the Governing Body could also keep in mind that Caleb is a young boy - he is NOT a dog. I notice too that the image of the plane on the page "Become Jehovah's Friend" is that of a war plane - it is a Corsair. Would Jesus put up a website that featured a war plane? (I've made mention of this in a post that I wrote about the "Listen, Obey and Be Blessed" DVD.) http://e-jw.org/entry.php?4-DVD-quo...iend-Listen-Obey-And-Be-Blessed-quot-(Part-1) http://e-jw.org/entry.php?5-DVD-quo...iend-Listen-Obey-And-Be-Blessed-quot-(Part-2) Wallflower
The proper answer should have been : Honey, it's still a bit early. I'll call you when the meal is ready. -------------------------------------------- Source : Firstly it is important to create a set routine for a meals. Give meals and snacks at the same time everyday. It is important to serve meals and snacks at a table. Children need to be taught healthy eating behaviour just as they are taught any other good behaviour expected of them.
I noticed on the "anytime I can pray" they have completely eliminated Jesus without whom no prayer will be answered ..
they must think parents are bad educators of Gods word, I mean sitting in the KH year after year, didn't they get the message, I found it insulting to Christian parents, and they are treated like Caleb little kids. Then being cynical could it be that the WTBTS is just selling videos to the parents for kids to have some sort of entertainment. lol Why the message is good the dumbing down is pathetic.
ahh , Panda the walk by faith is not one of the kiddie cartoons . I did have some "thoughts" regarding its intent as I tend to analyze everything for instance how is it that over 4 years there were only the five christians in Pella , for a few of their 1st mock ups of what the one may have considered and gone thru (strictly pretend) in any of the fulfillment's of prophecy it still boiled down to "do as your told" still insinuating that the do as your told is coming down from Christ thru them . I still love that many are attempting to reach others with the truth of the Christ and his teachings . The relapse into the the enforcement "of the Law" rather than the spirit of the Christ whose tender mercies moved whole crowds to follow him , has found its way in like so many sects before them. With regard to the Caleb series , I would never have used them with my own children . For one I taught my children to not be obsequious . I taught them if they used "May I" they didn't have to also use "please" . They were not required to "beg" for food. Being courteous and polite was enough . But in my house since we were largely vegan (and vegan's are hungry ALL the time) I kept cut veggies and homemade dip in the fridge at all times and the kidlets could take any , any time they felt "hungry". other snack food such as fruit , nuts and the like were also up on the list of whenever they were in need . (And NO not a single one is overweight today except the one who is mentally ill) . I have never had the "rigid" rules about the way things are done in a home ..(some people mow the lawn in circles , some in rows and if your really lucky some ball lightening comes in and gives you crop circles to totally throw you off balance , kidding ) As a single mother my only "rigid" requirement was "never lie to me" as your discipline will be three times what it would be if you didn't . I asked my son a couple of years back what he thought I had been strictest about , and it only took a few seconds for him to nail the lying part .(he's forty now) . I will tell you that none of them will ever have anything to do with witnesses . There were seven children molested in connection with the Blvd Park Hall , and children who grow up together and go to the same schools talk, I was a parent who they brought home the tales to. You know whose getting hit , maligned , slandered , and leading a double life . I don't believe in raising children in an atmosphere of fear but of openness , every one falls down including parents . And yes the hysteria from the mother in the videos is a complete "TURN OFF"
Those videos are exactly in the same vein as the usual behavioral teaching found almost everywhere in the publications. The GB haven't understood that what matters isn't to tell people what to do but to help them to become spiritually mature enough so as to be able to make good decisions on their own. Yet, they keep telling us that "this is bad", "that is ok but be careful !" and so on... Like the apostles, they consider their b/s as their children, but in a multitude of senses and for sure too much as well. They have become overprotecting and paternalist. For example, any average JW knows that dishonesty is bad so it's useless for the GB to tell people over and over again that tax fraud is bad and have the elders say later to the sinners : "They told you so...!!!" They'd better endeavour to help people to become spiritually strong enough so they are able to struggle against greed or temptations successfully, and more important than anything, with the requested help of God's Holy Spirit... Generally speaking, that's not because we know that something is bad that we won't do it. We are all humans, with what it implies and with what ensues from it..., the human factor... More is needed on spiritual grounds than simplistic reminders.
Regarding things in the same vein that make me cringe like crazy is the new society's fad since some time ago to use in the publications the second person singular pronoun in French "tu" (which corresponds to the archaic "thou" in English) when giving advice or exhortations (especially in the KM). Generally, in a text destined to be read and applied by adults, the second person plural pronoun "vous" is used (which corresponds to capital "YOU" in English). Often, "nous" is used too (corresponds to "we" in English) as an indirect way to make people feel concerned by what's written. As for "tu/thou", it is used in books (like in Young People Ask, for example) or in videos destined to an audience made up of children or teens. Using "tu" is way too colloquial and over-familiar for adults, in my opinion. That's almost offensive. They say that they use the "tutoiement", that is the use of "tu", so the articles sound less formal and people feel more concerned because the "tutoiement" is more direct, more personal, and supposedly constitutes a face-to-face dialogue, like between buddies. I hate that ! It sounds as if they are talking to kids, teens or simple-minded people. I asked others around me if they minded that sentences be phrased this way and many don't mind at all but on personal grounds, I do ! Given that Spanish uses el "tú" as well, even more freely than in French in daily life, I looked up in two recent WT articles and they don't seem to use it, unless I missed it...
Beside what I said above, I think that resorting to such ways of phrasing sentences just so the people to whom the text is destined might feel more concerned and aware is grotesque, absurd and childish. Instead of using linguistic and psychological crutches in their phrasing, the GB should instead try to improve the spiritual content of the WT articles. That's not by making people feel more concerned or whatnot that they will keep God's commandments in their lives the most possible. It's no earthly use. That's smokescreen, smoke and mirrors. That's pathetic... The latest WT articles were so boring... making small talk during 45 mn... and endlessly holding forth on basic topics for so loooong... Last weekend, I'm glad I was sitting behind two sisters who have the same humour as me and are easily bored too so cracking discreetly jokes with the both of them enabled me to stay awake.
I was bored too - I spent the time working out my tax return, the shopping list for this week and mentally composed a work report in my head. Wallflower
Hi POP That's how it was in my family - don't lie. The other rule was don't raise your voice. Wallflower
Well, we weren't giggling like schoolgirls and we were located in a place that didn't catch everybody's attention. We behaved ourselves.
Their is a bright side here. yes its quite true the literature is feeling boarding, childish, and reduntant, but here is the good news! that's because everyone has heard the good news So many times that its old hat! this good news will be preached for a witness to all the nations. then the end will come. the end of what? first the end of preaching the good news. shortley after a swift end from Jehovah and Jesus to the mess! remember knoah entering the ark and closing the door? guys when Jehovah's witnesses quite door knocking and pestering you on saterday that's a major signal that you had darn well better have already received Jesus as lord! I've said this once and a million times. becoming Jehovah's friend is not boarding, or tedious, Evan though religion makes it so! becoming Jehovah's friend can be compared with an eccentric billionaire finding you one fine day and saying hey buddy come be my friend. that's the same invitation here! the god of all creation wants to be your friend and he wants to give you stuff! that's the way we should be presenting Jehovah! not with hundreds of lessons! but with excitement in our voices hey everybody the super rich king has invited us to his castle and he wants to give us bags of gold! thank you Jehovah for being my friend! I may never know why but thank you!
for god loved us so much that Evan while we were still siners Jesus died for us! Jehovah god is and has always been mans best friend. but mankind Evan to this day continues to reject Jehovah's offer of friendship, and instead turns away toward fleshly desires and Satan's path,it is with a tear in his eye and a heavy heart that Jehovah stands allowing those men to receive their own punishment for the works that they did of free will! it it not Jehovah god punishing men for the most part, it is however the result of mans incorrect and self destructive actions.. to become Jehovah's friend means to take the best advice in the uni verse do what Jehovah pleads with us to do and receive immediately a down payment and latter the full reward! its idiotic to choose pain and sufferings when you can walk side by side with god. do you for a moment believe that friends of Jehovah suffer more than those that follow after Satan? its quite true that Jehovah's friend draw negative attentions from his foes out of jealousy! but Jehovah doesn't stand idley by while his foes pick you to death! he is strong enough to save you! and bless you! people Jehovah god provides every single thing I have! he is not short on supplys. he would much rather you ask of him for what you need rather than you go forth to forage in Satan's cottenfield! My wittness to Jehovah is not just that Jesus is lord doctorine. but instead that being Jehovah's friend is having security, and peace of mind here now today! turn your life around today and get yourself free from the horrible bandage of having to depend on this system and yourself for your next meal, make yourselves Jehovah friendly! so he can start filling your basket! like he describes a good measure shaken and well packed into your basket . I tell you the gods honest blessed truth. I can't afford not to be Jehovah's friend. its tough out their! I'm old and without Jehovah's loveing care his friendship I would be in very bad shape. so for your own good make friends with Jehovah!
Hi jehovahisgod, How very true your comment is. Listening to the thoughts of our Heavenly Father Jehovah should be foremost in our minds. Amos 4: 13 For, look! the Former of [the] mountains and the Creator of [the] wind, and the One telling to earthling man what his mental concern is, the One making dawn into obscurity, and the One treading on earth’s high places, Jehovah the God of armies is his name.†Jehovah wants us to be concerned with our mind about the things he is concerned with. appreciate your comments belongingtojah
Ditto for random bedtimes... from here. Random Bedtimes Breed Bad Behavior In Kids Parents learn the hard way that late bedtimes make for cranky kids the next day. But inconsistent bedtimes may have a greater effect on children's behavior, a study says. Kids who didn't go to bed on a regular schedule had more behavior problems at home and at school. When those children were put to bed at the same time each night, their behavior improved. That data came from an ongoing study of 10,230 British schoolchildren. Mothers were asked if their child had a regular bedtime during the school week. That information was collected when the children were ages 3, 5 and 7. The mothers were also asked to complete a standardized test that measures behavior, including conduct problems, hyperactivity, emotional symptoms, problems with peers and positive behavior. Children who went to bed after 9 p.m. were rated as having more behavior problems than children who went to bed earlier. That's no surprise; there's abundant evidence on the effects of lack of sleep on children's school performance and behavior. But irregular bedtimes actually caused worse behavior than short sleep. Teachers were asked to rate some of the children's behavior at age 7. They too reported more behavior problems in children with irregular bedtimes. The good news is that the behavior problems improved when children were shifted to a more regular schedule. The scientists call that a "clear dose-response pattern." And behavior deteriorated in children who had regular bedtimes at age 5 and were on a more random plan by age 7, the parents said. The sleep issues could affect behavior in two ways, according to the researchers at University College London. It could mess up children's circadian rhythms, which are slow to change. And it could affect maturing brain regions involved in regulation of behavior. Pediatricians should ask about irregular bedtimes, the researchers say, not just how many hours a kid is logging. This study has shortcomings. It doesn't report how much the children actually slept, but rather how much their mothers said they slept. And it could be that the families with random bedtimes had other problems that affected the child's behavior. Lack of sleep causes health problems in children and adults, including weight gain and insulin resistance. And regular bedtimes are recommended for adults too, because maintaining a regular cicardian rythmn makes it easier to fall asleep and wake up on time. No word if it makes grownups less cranky. But it probably couldn't hurt.