Raising children in the United States and other countries can be an extremely controversial topic. We share many differences such as freedom and fear, but the main similarity we all share is technology. As a child I enjoyed all the freedom without fear growing up in Kosovo. At the age of eleven my entire family migrated to the United States; that is when I first learned about fear. Now that I have my own children and teach them my native traditions and language I can not teach them life without fear.
Growing up in Kosovo was very simple. Children don’t have a lot, but are very happy. They are free to go outside, play, and do child activities until they get tired. Kids in Kosovo don’t have many toys, but what they do have is freedom. The freedom to play outside, to run in the green fields, and get dirty in the green grass while they get in touch with natures most precious gifts. Unlike other places there are fruit trees everywhere, and if children felt like going apple picking, pear picking and strawberry picking, it was available in front of their noses. Every season offered special treats for all the children. When it snowed they would go outside and sled down the hill while crying words of joy. Voices were heard everywhere until eleven o’clock in the evening as they were trying to perfect their skills in the snow and enjoy every single flake the sky dropped. Smaller children made snow angels and dreamed about their future, while older children were snowboarding with boards made out of some sort of box, wood, or plastic. All were inspired by their own imaginations with no limit on creativity. As spring arrived, trees and flowers bloomed everywhere. The scent in the air was almost irresistible as it quickly spread and reached every town, village, and city. Everywhere children rode bicycles, planted seeds with their parents, cleaned up around their homes, and played with their pets. When the seeds grew and peeked out of the ground, children were so excited with their accomplishments, there were great celebrations year after year. In the summer children would play outside all day long, swim in pools, play basketball and other games with kids from other towns. The coordination and communication during games was so amazing, no pen and paper was ever used to keep track of any score. At night families would gather and camp outside next to small fires, roast marshmallows, and drink fresh lemonade.
Growing up in Kosovo was very simple. Children don’t have a lot, but are very happy. They are free to go outside, play, and do child activities until they get tired. Kids in Kosovo don’t have many toys, but what they do have is freedom. The freedom to play outside, to run in the green fields, and get dirty in the green grass while they get in touch with natures most precious gifts. Unlike other places there are fruit trees everywhere, and if children felt like going apple picking, pear picking and strawberry picking, it was available in front of their noses. Every season offered special treats for all the children. When it snowed they would go outside and sled down the hill while crying words of joy. Voices were heard everywhere until eleven o’clock in the evening as they were trying to perfect their skills in the snow and enjoy every single flake the sky dropped. Smaller children made snow angels and dreamed about their future, while older children were snowboarding with boards made out of some sort of box, wood, or plastic. All were inspired by their own imaginations with no limit on creativity. As spring arrived, trees and flowers bloomed everywhere. The scent in the air was almost irresistible as it quickly spread and reached every town, village, and city. Everywhere children rode bicycles, planted seeds with their parents, cleaned up around their homes, and played with their pets. When the seeds grew and peeked out of the ground, children were so excited with their accomplishments, there were great celebrations year after year. In the summer children would play outside all day long, swim in pools, play basketball and other games with kids from other towns. The coordination and communication during games was so amazing, no pen and paper was ever used to keep track of any score. At night families would gather and camp outside next to small fires, roast marshmallows, and drink fresh lemonade.
When I think about these special times, the sky was so clear and every star was visible, as we distinguished them from one another. I do remember finding my own stars with symbols and wished upon them to come to America. The feeling was magical, the time unforgettable, and it was promising. Fall was full of surprises for children, from ripe fruits and vegetables, to colorful leaves blowing on the trees. Magic was everywhere. Going back to school was exciting, because it meant meeting more friends, having more play time, and being more sociable. We all walked home together from school telling funny jokes and stories. With winter approaching, both children and adults harvested and canned food, chopped wood, and roasted fresh peppers and chestnuts. I would have to say this was my favorite time of year.
When we migrated to the United States, my parents told me I could not go outside to play unless I was accompanied by an adult. This was new to me and it was the first time I learned about fear. As much as I like the country, everything was strange and distant to me. I felt very lonely and missed my friends in Kosovo. In the summer there were no children to play outside with, and I often wondered if there were any children at all. When I did see them outside, they were always accompanied by an adult who watched them like hawks, and repeatedly said the word “NO” in just about every sentence. I later learned they were inside their homes all day playing with their toys, video games, or watching TV.
When we migrated to the United States, my parents told me I could not go outside to play unless I was accompanied by an adult. This was new to me and it was the first time I learned about fear. As much as I like the country, everything was strange and distant to me. I felt very lonely and missed my friends in Kosovo. In the summer there were no children to play outside with, and I often wondered if there were any children at all. When I did see them outside, they were always accompanied by an adult who watched them like hawks, and repeatedly said the word “NO” in just about every sentence. I later learned they were inside their homes all day playing with their toys, video games, or watching TV.
While I relived my childhood in my mind, I suddenly realized children in the States had to live under the constant supervision of their parents. During the school season everyday, there are cars lined up in front of the schools as parents wait to pick their children. The school playground is a ghost town because no one stays to play. From birth, children in the States are given new toys when they are smaller and a constant supply toys and electronic devices as they grow older to not only keep them in fashion, but so their parents can keep track of them. Parents bribe their children by giving them more and more instead of teaching them values. As a result children are still not happy because they are never given enough. Seasons come and go in the States and kids are still locked inside their homes watching TV or on their computer while their parents try to keep them from potential harm or a predator that may live next door. From my point of view, because of the constant supervision and the giving of video games, clothing, etc. children miss out on the opportunity of being children by not being able to play outside with freedom and without fear.
People in the United States wonder why boys and girls start dating at an early age and end up making poor choices in their lives. Being exposed to too much television and using the internet for hours at a time seems to contribute to their inability to make choices of any kind. Having the opportunity to grow up in Kosovo with much more freedom and adult role models and less television and electronic devices, I was able to make smart choices at a young age. Instead of negative support if I seemed to make a bad choice, my family helped me correct with love and support. Today in Kosovo there is still freedom without fear but children are more inside their homes because they must use technology to keep up with the rest of the world. Although I miss my Kosovo home, like my parents before me, I try to give my children as much freedom as I can so that hopefully they too make smart choices. Unfortunately I find my self keeping my children inside our home but would want them to experience unlimited freedom.
People in the United States wonder why boys and girls start dating at an early age and end up making poor choices in their lives. Being exposed to too much television and using the internet for hours at a time seems to contribute to their inability to make choices of any kind. Having the opportunity to grow up in Kosovo with much more freedom and adult role models and less television and electronic devices, I was able to make smart choices at a young age. Instead of negative support if I seemed to make a bad choice, my family helped me correct with love and support. Today in Kosovo there is still freedom without fear but children are more inside their homes because they must use technology to keep up with the rest of the world. Although I miss my Kosovo home, like my parents before me, I try to give my children as much freedom as I can so that hopefully they too make smart choices. Unfortunately I find my self keeping my children inside our home but would want them to experience unlimited freedom.
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