Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Sterilized Soil

STERILIZED SOIL — A rather misleading term, as steam- or chemically sterilized soil is only partially sterilized. Harmful organisms have been killed but helpful bacteria have been spared.

In reading this definition, it really struck me as what parents do for their children. We want to protect our children from things that will harm them. But at the same time, we want them to experience life in such a way that they will grow from it. What this means is that they will have to undergo trials and hardships that will stretch them as people, will cause them to think and solve problems. We want them to grow into healthy adults who will contribute to society. If we shield them from every potential thing that might provide discomfort or be perceived as negative, we do them a great disservice. They lose their hardiness, their ability to withstand the storms that life inevitably brings. We do well to remember that in providing our children with sterilized soil, we do not kill the things that will bring about healthy growth.

Posted by sowingseeds at 21:59:17 | Permalink | Comments (6)

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

sterilized soil

STERILIZED SOIL — A rather misleading term, as steam- or chemically sterilized soil is only partially sterilized. Harmful organisms have been killed but helpful bacteria have been spared.

It seems that in raising our children, learning to “sterilize” the soil in which they are embedded can be as tricky as sterilizing the soil around our plants. As homeschoolers, we are often accused of “sterilizing” our children’s environment, as if this were detrimental.

I think the term may be as misleading when applied to raising our children as to our plants. It would seem as if all parents would want to shelter their children to the extent that they can grow into hardy, mature adults-eliminating the things which are harmful to them, yet leaving enough in their environment that will allow growth. I would believe that partially sterilized environments around our kids would be appropriate, in keeping with their ages and maturity levels.

As in gardening, I think it is important to remember not to just go out and “kill” everything that appears or sounds bad that surrounds our child. We must remember that there are “bacteria” that are essential to health and growth. If we end up rescuing our child in every situation, s/he can never attain the maturity we wish to see in him/her. We must be careful in the balancing act of sterilization that we don’t wipe out everything around our kids that they need to encourage growth and maturity.

Posted by sowingseeds at 05:15:54 | Permalink | Comments (2)