Where did ‘NO’ go?

IT IS such a little word. One of the first words a child learn.

Why? Because it is used constantly by parents to protect, to direct, to create safe boundaries and to train the child in the tenants of their culture.

It is not always accepted happily but should be applied consistently and lovingly in the effort to prepare the child for a healthy life; to become an individual who can self moderate and contribute positively to others and the society around them.

The boundaries created by no do not have to be repressive. In fact, everyone feels safer with them.

No drinking and driving, no overtaking, no smoking, no trespassing, no domestic violence, no nuclear arms. Boundaries are important. Would you rather cross a bridge with or without railings? Would you rather learn to swim in a pool or dropped in the ocean far from land?

We seem to be living in a world that is very hypocritical.

On one hand we have an ever-increasing list of things that we are not to do spruiked for the safety of ourselves and others but on the other hand we are told that the rights of the individual are paramount – that no cannot be applied to prevent anyone from doing anything that feels right to them.

We see the results of the absence of the training of no regularly in our shopping centre aisles, classrooms, roads, ever burgeoning courts and hospitals.

If we all lived on our own little islands, everyone’s right to do what they think is right would not harm anyone – we could do as we please – unless we then had children to share it.

To live in society, we cannot all demand to have the right to do as we please.

To leave a safe and secure

❝absence We see the results of the of the training of no regularly in our shopping centre aisles, classrooms, roads, ever burgeoning courts and hospitals.

society for the next generation we need to have a set of boundaries not just for our society and the world but also for the mental and physical health of the individual.

No is not a dirty word.