A Life of Excess - Motherhood

We are only a decade into the 21st Century, an era of excess everything.

For us as individuals success in the 21st century is as much about self discipline, moderation and abstinence as it is about drive and ambition. The issue we have is not "living without" but "living with excess".

The problem we face is from a young age as a community and individuals we are not made for moderation. Excess is available in any form at any age. Morbid obesity and diabetes have ballooned, with the constant access to processed and junk food as well as an increase in sedentary activities such as TV, computers, and computer games.

20 years ago we didn't have access to endless credit and loans, mobile phones and cable TV. There was no world wide web to provide instant access to gambling, shopping, cyber bullying and porn. Most importantly  we never had the worlds mass media convincing us to consume from every angle.

Eating disorders have risen sharply since the 90s and 1 in 20 Australian's admittedly have had some kind of dietary issue in their lives.

Before the year 2000 the phenomenon of celebrity for celebritys sake never existed. Believe it or not you actually had to have talent. Celebrity magazines and reality shows parade this excess, to excess! (pardon the pun).

It does seem though that kids are getting smarter, but in saying that it is our job as adults to give our children the tools and to show them how to use them.

In an age of excess it is hard to know hen to draw the line. We want to give our kids everything but where is the balance? How do we teach them appreciation?

If you know the answer let me know?

I actually bought a potato peeler at ikea the other day. Thinking back to my childhood ( i never felt i went without) I used to help my mum and my gran peel potatoes and string beans, we were expected to find our own fun and use our own imaginations, we did the dishes,we would get pocket money and save it. I was taught common sense, how to read and enjoy a book, a love of the arts, how to look after a pet, a good dress sense (i think), soft drink was for special occasions, how to cook, how to iron, vacuum (I have had staff who don't know what a vacuum cleaner is)..... and the list goes on.

Anyway we have started a star chart. 10 stars a week gets Imie and Samuel a treat.Its the greatest, but now to start with peeling the potatoes, maybe things can be turned around, who knows!