Teach Your Kids NOT To Be Sheeple

Lately, I`ve been reading a lot about the educational system (not only the public one, even well-rated private schools) and how it teaches our kids to be the perfect sheeple. They`ve got an agenda where they must teach kids that being controlled is absolutely normal, that it`s for their own good and they must obey if they want a fulfilling life inside the U.S.

Whoever doesn`t obey the system, gets punished. And I`m not talking about students, but also teachers who do not agree to this agenda (and I`ll get back on that in a future article, because this phenomenon is mind blowing). I`m really frightened at the thought that these manipulators will keep drilling their ideas inside my kids` and grandkids`s heads, ruining the education I gave them. Educating kids is a very delicate issue and, if it`s not done right, the poor kid will be either extremely confused or a social pariah, unable to find his/her place in the society.

So what can we do to help our kids develop a healthy set of values and a distinct personality without getting them in trouble at school or making them feel like social pariahs? Here are a few non-invasive exercises you can try at home:

#1: Every time you have to make a family decision, vote

Help them exercise this right by voting on every family decision. This way, they`ll understand that everyone gets to have a say in the matter, that their opinion matters as much as everyone else`s and that, fortunately or unfortunately, the majority decides.

This is a very important lesson for kids to learn: the fact that major decisions have to be taken together, not by one single person. Now, I`m not saying you should buy a horse just because your kids want to and they happen to be the majority. I`m saying that when it comes to important decisions, that affect your entire family, you should get everyone`s vote on the matter. Just like the president should get Americans` vote on matters that affect them directly… and actually take it into consideration.

#2: Arguments always win

Whenever you get into a disagreement with your kids, don`t go all “because I say so”, no matter how tempting it is to use the parent card. Give them arguments and always ask for their arguments back.

This will be a little harder at first, but trust me… it`s worth the effort. After they get used to the argument rule, you`ll be having much more serious and calm conversations, even when it gets tense. Plus, on the long run, your kid will understand that being bullied is not an option, that logical arguments are the basis of any decision and he/she will be able to see through all the manipulative electoral speeches. And that`s exactly the kind of people we need in the U.S. right now.

#3: Curiosity – the basis of intelligence

Curious people are often called “uncomfortable”, especially by people who don`t want to answer any “uncomfortable” questions. They always prefer having people believe everything they say, without thinking matters through. Unfortunately, America is filled with this sort of people, the ones who are simply not used to questioning anything. It`s the kind of effort that gives them a headache, so why even go through such pain when you can just relax and nod your head?

Well, that`s the problem that led to the control-freak government we`ve got now. And that`s why we need to teach our kids that asking questions is one of the crucial things in life. If your kids or grandkids ask you a lot of questions, encourage them to ask even more. And, if you`re on it, go ahead and teach them how and when to ask questions, because this is just as important as being curious. Encourage them to ask questions at school whenever they don`t understand something. And encourage them to ask themselves questions when they`re not sure what they`re thinking or feeling. You`ll be amazed to see how much it will help him in the future.

#4: Information = power

Your kids and grandkids need to know how important it is to stay informed. Being curious is not enough, it must be backed up by a good, solid research. In fact, research is crucial for every other “rule” I`ve listed above.

If you want kids to vote for the right thing, if you want them to give you good arguments in a disagreement and if you want them to keep being curious, then research is the #1 skill you need to teach them. Don`t tell them WHERE to find the information, let them judge which source is reliable and which is not on their own. Instead, teach them how to search for the information they want, teach them to be patient and search until they find a source they can trust and, most important, teach them to read all sides of the story. It`s comfortable to go for the explanation you like the most, but that doesn`t mean it`s also the REAL one. And you can`t pass judgement until you`ve seen the big picture, can you?

This is how I raised my kids. And I`m not saying it`s the best way, but I do believe they both turned out fine young gentlemen who are very aware of their rights and liberties, but do not run away from their responsibilities, either. If you disagree with me, please do so in an argumentative manner, since we just talked about the importance of bringing solid arguments in a conversation. And if you do agree, then I hope these suggestions will help you raise your kids to be the American citizens that will someday make a change.

By Alec Deacon