tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226481506470506962.post9075980689426964165..comments2023-10-25T08:44:46.963-07:00Comments on Two Friars and A Fool: Children in PublicAric Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15241157655075444268noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226481506470506962.post-51286912469843174582010-10-04T13:18:02.193-07:002010-10-04T13:18:02.193-07:00I agree we "developed" nations do have a...I agree we "developed" nations do have a lot to learn from "developing" ones when it comes to family life. I love the parents at my church who just bring their kids with them to church. It really helps if they relax with them and let the community pick up the slack. We have one couple who are very active with our evening service who pass their son around and its amazing to watch as the rest of the community has taken ownership of him. They want whats best for him, plus when the parents are at church they don't have to keep both eyes on him the whole time because there are more than enough eyes to go around.<br /><br />btw Molly Doug is definitely the fool because he's the most jolly...or is Aric the fool because of that Sass?Nick Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03265851893310000081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226481506470506962.post-42949055558213588632010-09-27T10:54:54.406-07:002010-09-27T10:54:54.406-07:00@ Molly - I am super-envious of you and Ryan and y...@ Molly - I am super-envious of you and Ryan and your fellowship. It was my kids actually that made me ineligible for that.<br /><br />Your skills of observation are excellent. I hope you draw many lessons from your time in Zambia and bring them back with you to share with us. We "developed" nations have a lot to learn from the "developing" ones - especially when it comes to family life.<br /><br />Without question Doug is the fool since he chose voluntarily to live in Ohio. Unless Nick is the fool since he was the slowest to get a call.Aric Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15241157655075444268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226481506470506962.post-9981955609340925002010-09-27T07:14:42.494-07:002010-09-27T07:14:42.494-07:00The only thing worse than children in public is ad...The only thing worse than children in public is adults in public. We should really manage where those jerks are allowed to go.<br /><br />@ Molly: I'm not sure. Nick is constantly sewing bells to his clothing; Aric is embroiled in a ceaseless quest to find Emperors with no clothes. One of those two has got to be the fool.Douglas Underhillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02215736448645573566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7226481506470506962.post-55721091629148946522010-09-27T02:39:02.454-07:002010-09-27T02:39:02.454-07:00Thanks for this post, Aric. I agree with you. Yo...Thanks for this post, Aric. I agree with you. You should get a spot on Good Morning America or Oprah or something :).<br /><br />It's interesting to fit the SINK (Single Income No Kids) demographic while here in Zambia. In the litany of getting-acquainted-questions on the bus or at church or otherwise meeting people, "do you have kids?" is probably number 3 or 4, and people are usually pretty surprised to learn we don't have any. Though the question is not as hard for us, because we just add the "yet" and they let it go, with maybe a bit of confusion or sympathy. <br /><br />One thing I've noticed in Zambia is that kids are most all places, especially babies and toddlers. Pretty much anywhere you find women, you find young children tied to their backs with colorful chitenge. (here the question might be raised--in what places are women are not allowed? and does it have anything to do with the accompanying children?)<br /><br />Also homes seem to always have a supply of children, as well as other inter-generational family members-- grandmothers, aunts, uncles and cousins as well as the "nuclear family." --Even, and perhaps especially, in the homes of the single or widowed women in our office. It makes a difference in the feel of the private culture (home) and the public culture. The culture itself is more traditionally "it takes a village..." and then there is the high mortality rate for children and adults which makes families and communities have more fluid definitions. For the most part, children are everywhere here and it is understood that any adult is liable to and responsible for keeping an eye out and keeping them in line. Even in our office, children will come visit occasionally. <br /><br />It is much easier to take your advice and help care and attend to the children all around in this culture. It will be interesting to see how we can continue to do so when we return to the US.<br /><br />Peace,<br />Molly<br /><br />P.S. Which one of you is the "fool"? or is it a rotating title? ;-)Molly Dowell Baumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992511641830281712noreply@blogger.com