Don't despair. My college aged kids have endured my silent statements of fact for a decade. Youngest now openly pushes back. Once, I said to him, "You probably think I'm crazy." His reply? "No. I think you're so smart you twist what you read into your belief system." I laughed at that, then added: "I was once smart like you, believed all…
Don't despair. My college aged kids have endured my silent statements of fact for a decade. Youngest now openly pushes back. Once, I said to him, "You probably think I'm crazy." His reply? "No. I think you're so smart you twist what you read into your belief system." I laughed at that, then added: "I was once smart like you, believed all the idealistic things I was exposed to. Life experiences and facts that drove the outcomes taught me the error of my ways. You believe in ideals, just like I did. But men and organizations work with a more sinister code of conduct. You either learn the code and adapt, or you're betrayed and abused by it. Choose wisely."
A few weeks later, independent of that conversation, daughter relayed something to me that really helped. She was playing a board game with friends, and was asked two questions. First, if she were stranded on a deserted island and could chose only one person to be there, who would it be? Second, if she were under attack by a gang or riot and could chose only one person to help, who would you choose?
Without hesitation, she chose me for both answers.
THEY ARE LISTENING, LEARNING, EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT SHOWING IT.
I don't look like anything imposing or intimidating or macho outdoor survivalist. But I am smart, and I NEVER quit learning to DO things... fix everything, make many things, grow food (very poorly at first), and LEARN-LEARN-LEARN. For a decade now, I've been learning about the nefarious crap our gov't does and preparing for self-reliance. And they've been watching, listening. They know more than you think.
Don't despair. My college aged kids have endured my silent statements of fact for a decade. Youngest now openly pushes back. Once, I said to him, "You probably think I'm crazy." His reply? "No. I think you're so smart you twist what you read into your belief system." I laughed at that, then added: "I was once smart like you, believed all the idealistic things I was exposed to. Life experiences and facts that drove the outcomes taught me the error of my ways. You believe in ideals, just like I did. But men and organizations work with a more sinister code of conduct. You either learn the code and adapt, or you're betrayed and abused by it. Choose wisely."
A few weeks later, independent of that conversation, daughter relayed something to me that really helped. She was playing a board game with friends, and was asked two questions. First, if she were stranded on a deserted island and could chose only one person to be there, who would it be? Second, if she were under attack by a gang or riot and could chose only one person to help, who would you choose?
Without hesitation, she chose me for both answers.
THEY ARE LISTENING, LEARNING, EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT SHOWING IT.
I don't look like anything imposing or intimidating or macho outdoor survivalist. But I am smart, and I NEVER quit learning to DO things... fix everything, make many things, grow food (very poorly at first), and LEARN-LEARN-LEARN. For a decade now, I've been learning about the nefarious crap our gov't does and preparing for self-reliance. And they've been watching, listening. They know more than you think.