Scott's Antique Market is the type of place that comes to mind while reading Anthony Esolen describing the merits of junkyard schooling in his new book, Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child.
Take advantage of Scott's cultural experience here in Georgia.
One man's trash is another's treasure.
There are lots of positive outcomes from this type of parenting.
Georgia boasts a writer who grew up in a junkyard: Janisse Ray.
Texas claims a junkyard millionaire: Ron Sturgeon.
But the best advice I've read for helping one's child select a way of life (a career) is from a lady who is 113 years old today. She wrote a book in 1971.
Here's a link to my short review of Leila Denmark's book, Every Child Should Have a Chance.
There is a common thread in the lives of these three successful individuals, besides lots of reading, a hobby, and elbow grease (hard work). Esolen highlights it in this third method of his tongue-in-cheek parenting manifesto: How to Destroy Your Child's Imagination or Keep Children Away from Machines and Machinists.
Janisse, Ron, and Leila all spent time around adults and in places where children supposedly weren't allowed.
When Ron was only 17 years old his father died and his stepmother kicked him out of the house. In a 1992 INC Magazine article, he gives advice: "Read, read, and read some more!"
Janisse's dad, Franklin Ray, was a fatherly conundrum, depriving his children of such luxuries as television and inspiring them to preserve nature while junking up the landscape with old cars and blown-up tires.
Leila Denmark followed her curious intellect. As a child she did not know that a woman could become a doctor, but she knew she loved to see things live.
Actually these testimonials just undergird my thinking that imaginations can not be destroyed, only stunted or perverted, but prayerfully captured for the Lord. It may be difficult to envision something this far in the future for your young children. But rest assured that events and experiences that happen today affect and build on their futures.
It's all a matter of perspective.
How you see things.
How your child sees things.
Actuallly it's a little exciting to me. That is, I feel expectant when I ponder how current life happenings will play out in my future.
When I'm not sure about my eyes and ears though, I re-read I Corinthians 2.
And I avail myself of the fine exposition of Scripture as it relates to child-rearing, especially Elder Tim Price's new series at my church.
Who or what encourages you as you rear your family?
Scott Antique Market - photo borrowed from Google Images
Photo at beginning is also borrowed from Google Images and is not representative of the booths at Scott Antique Market here in Georgia. I just wanted to highlight the lady's obvious character and personality.
Scott's Market seems like a neat place to visit -- hope I am able to visit someday! I am more and more intrigued by this book, and may buy a copy (I'm not expecting my local library to have it).
ReplyDeleteI agree with your summation, though, that "imaginations cannot be destroyed, only stunted or perverted, but prayerfully captured for the Lord." The human capability for imagination is a trait rooted in the imago Dei (image of God) in which were were created -- His Creativity and Imagination (who else could think of a platypus?) are why we have these sensibilities as well! Yet our sinful nature, as you said, will twist and stunt our imaginations with evil rather than God-honoring ambitions. From that perspective, it is humbling to recognize the burden of parenting that is responsible for the development of a child's imagination and therefore worldview. I am grateful for parents who were able and willing to foster my imagination in a God-honoring fashion.
So, I think that answers the question: "Who or what encourages you as you rear your family?" Well, as I begin to consider the (future) rearing of my family, YOU are certainly at the top of my list of inspirations. :)
Thank you for those kind words, Mrs. RealHousewife of Chicago
ReplyDelete:-)
Sara's synopsis of the chapters is particularly well-written and I commend it to your attention.
http://breakingground.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/ten-ways-to-destroy-the-imagination-of-your-child-chp-4-method-3/
And rather than buy the book right now, consider reading the insights of some of the other bookclub contributors.
Then you can buy the book at a reduced rate when it is not newly published or borrow my copy.
Thank you for your kind words! I am honored!
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo, my inspiration comes from smart Christian ladies on the Internet and from my husband who finds wonder in almost everything. Oh and good books, of course - the Schaeffers and Elisabeth Elliot and others like that.
I'd love to see that market one day!
I haven't read Sara's post yet, I am making my rounds right now finally. But your post reminds me of Louis L'Amour's bio.
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