Many schools are jumping on the character education train these days and adults, the pressure is on. To the "be careful what you wish for" list of dumb ideas add this one. What were we thinking?
Kids being more aware of how civilized people should act just makes it harder for the rest of us. We have to watch what we mutter when the kids are in the car. Think about it. You're at an intersection here in Shorewood and per usual, no one wants to be the car to go first. Your urge is to start flapping your hand singling, "Go on, you idiot." but you see your kid in the rear view mirror and simply wait patiently while your dentist in the office across town moves on to his next patient.
You're at the store and the checkout line is really long. It's dinner time and you have to feed the kids before the program over at school. You're trying to be patient (because patience was last month's trait) but the person with the cart behind you is continually ramming you in the rear end and it's getting pretty annoying. You turn around to give the glare. It's a senior citizen. You look at the informed observer child in the line next to yours as you gently push the cart off your backside and ask with your fake smile, "Would you like to go ahead of me?" Make sure the kid hears you as you give up your place. This character ed. stuff has ramifications we may not have anticipated. What's next? A big child-made, smiley face sign at the post office reminding us of Patience?
Come on, Shorewood. Hike up the pants and face the fact. We're in this together now. Local businesses are practically obligated to post character traits at the cash registers. Vendors, make room in your windows and display cases for happy-color signs reminding us of Fairness, Perseverance, Respect, Responsibility, Cooperation, Honesty and Tolerance. Employees, no more running to the boss, tattling on the co-worker who came in late. No more whining about what someone else has that you think you've been denied. No more gossip or rumor. No more swearing in the car, flipping someone off or mumbling under your walking-away breath. The children are watching.
Oh people...life as we know it is going to change.
