Imagination Education

I LOVED growing up in the time I did.  It was still the time where kids could have night games...and go outside and be dirty.  There seemed to be less worries...or I don't know what of parents.  Kids were aloud to get dirty and make messes...as long as they came back by a specific time.  This, I believe is lost today.  Kids are raised with the worried parent who won't let their kid run and make their own mistakes.  I am not talking about all parents, but, as a nanny, I have seen quite a few types of parents.  It seems that a lot of parents are judgmental of other parents.--This is another story of another time.

The reason for this post is to talk about something that seems to be lacking, at least a little, in quite a few kids lately.  What is that thing?  Imagination.  I feel this is because of schooling.  I am a teacher, and I know the demands on an educator (from parents, students, and the state/federal expectations).   The biggest thing that is playing a part now-a-days is testing!  Kids don't have room for imagination in their rigorous education.  Teachers do their best to foster imagination and creativity at a young age...however, even in Middle School I feel that kids are putting aside their imagination to further their education.

I'll admit...I have done this.  I put aside writing my novels, my reading for enjoyment, my creating for creating's sake, all for the sake of getting my bachelor's degree.  Once I got it, I realized something was missing.  Graduating wasn't as big for me as I thought it would be.  I felt a bit muffled.  It took me a lot of time and individual soul searching to figure out why I was so "meh."

I missed my imagination.  I missed my reading.  I missed putting a world that existed in my brain onto paper...or at least the screen of my computer!

So...a message to everyone...don't loose your imagination.  Parents...cultivate your child's imagination as often as you can.  I don't care if what your child dreams up is scientifically impossible...let them dream! Educators...do your best to get your kids thinking and creating their own thoughts and ideas.

Imagination is what makes the world progress and become amazing.  Without imagination, we will not have the internet, computer, phones, electricity...and loads of other stuff!!!

Imagine an Education built on facts AND imagination!  

The Frozen Conundrum

Recently there has been quite a lot of chatter about Frozen's "Hidden Messages." Many a Disney movie has had "hidden messages" as well.  The one that gets me from a post I read was that 'Let It Go' causes children to want to rebel against their parents or authority figures.

NEWSFLASH!!!  Most Disney Characters do that!  Don't believe me??

Aladdin: Steals food
Jasmine: Loves a thief and sneaks out of house.
Ariel: Runs away from home, changing the way she looks for a man.
Aurora/Briar Rose: Leaves the house, and lies to her guardians.
Mulan: Goes against her culture and parent's wishes to do what she wants.
Rapunzel: Leaves home with a stranger, and lies to her mother.
Flynn Rider/Eugene: Steals the crown of the Lost Princess. Steals lots of other things too.
Dash: Disobeys school rules.

And this isn't even all of them...just the ones that came to the top of my head without thinking too hard.

Now, it may come as a shock to most parents...but some day, one dark and lonely day, your child will disobey you.  No person on this world is perfect. The only one was Jesus Christ, and we all strive to be like him. Even us, as adults, disobey our Heavenly Father on a daily basis...at least on something small.  Being human is not a bad thing to be.

Nearly all of these characters have learned from what they did.

Another thing people talk about is that Frozen has a gay agenda, and one reason for it is because Elsa told Anna she could not marry a man she just met because as a gay woman in the closet, she does not want other people to marry.

I feel that Elsa saying this was refreshing, especially in an LDS community where people get engaged after a month of dating...and some get divorced a year after that...Many people feel pressured to get married...heck! Most Disney Princesses are in that same "culture" being married by the time they are 19, at least.

Not marrying the first man you come in contact with, is very refreshing to me.

To wrap up, Frozen was an amazing movie, that had to do with the love of family, no matter what is going on with you.  Accepting your family for who they really are is such a vital part of anyone's life.  And 'Let it Go' is a song that shows kids that no matter what you should never be afraid of who you are.  Never be afraid of what others will think of you once they meet the real you.  If they don't like you...it is their loss...not yours! And lastly, never be afraid of the past...because as Raffiki said, "The past can hurt, but you can either run from it...or, learn from it!"  It took Elsa years to learn from her past mistake, but in the end, she figured it out!

And that's my two cents on the matter. Take it or leave it.

Where Has Respect Gone?

This post came about from a discussion with my sister-in-law. We are both nerds. We love Doctor Who, Avengers, Sherlock, and many other things. I mention these three for a specific purpose. Each of these shows/movies have an actor in them who is beyond amazing.
 In Doctor Who,(there are many great actors here...but for the sake of this post) there is David Tennant.
 In Avengers, Tom Hiddelston.
 In Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch.

**Step on soap box**

 I mention these three amazing actors for one purpose...Pinterest and Tumbler are full of degrading posts about these men. For example:

These pictures are really what started our conversation.

These men are quoted multiple times talking about how amazing women are, and how they should be respected. Example:

For those of you who can't read the text...I've taken the liberty of typing it up again:

"This generation has lost the true meaning of romance.  There are so many songs that disrespect women.  You cant treat the woman you love as a piece of meat.  You should treat your love like a princess.  Give her love songs, something with real meaning.  Maybe I'm old fashioned, but to respect the woman you love should be a priority."

 What do others do to these great men's pictures? They objectify them.

 Yes, these men are amazing, wonderful actors. They are brilliant. I love their work.

 Do I want to be their girlfriend? NO.

I want to see every movie/TV show they are in because I know it will rock my socks off!

Now, this does not just apply to movie stars. GIRLS...respect men! I don't know what happened during the whole feminism era to make women objectify men. Seriously...you are trying to do the same thing that was done to you. This is not right. All the commercials with women slapping the back of their husband's head because he is stupid, or some other degrading thing, need to stop.

Yes, Women should have rights. Women should be respected. Women should be seen as priceless in any relationship.

 NEWSFLASH....Men need that too!

**Step off soap box**