Page 82 - ድንቅ መጽሄት የጥር 2021 እትም

Source: All Pro Dad
MARK W. MERRILL Consumers live dependent on others and are tossed around by
circumstances. Producers can forge a life full of independence
Our culture continually encourages our kids to be self-centered. and resilience and adaptability, yet contribute to a community as
Everything is customizable to make life “all about me.” Our kids well.
are being trained to be consumers of other people’s stuff. But are
they learning to be producers, creating new things, expressing in-
spiring ideas? The consuming mentality is draining the life and Consumers ask, “What’s in it for me?” Producers ask, “What’s in
future out of our kids. Is your child becoming a selfish person in- me for others?”
stead of a kid who serves?

Here are the differences between raising producers and consumers, Why does it matter? Well, consider these benefits of inspiring
and why it matters.
our kids to be creative producers instead of merely consumers:

First, I should mention that while hav- Creating things and expressing ide-
ing a creative approach to life instead as sharpens the mental and physical
of merely a consuming approach is health of our kids so they can become
good, not everything we might pro- healthy adults, spouses, and parents.
duce is good. And not everything we
might consume is bad or makes some-
one a selfish person. But if you teach Working through the creative process
your kids to live to consume, or to produces resilience in kids. Solving
produce in society only so they ulti- problems and working out ideas can
mately can have the means to consume be hard, especially when they don’t
more, then you are asking them to https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/ always work, but failures plus perse-
focus on the wrong thing. verance can impact the world.

What are the main differences between Kids who learn how to create and to
kids who are consumers instead of think and to dream will make better
producers? cultural, community, and church lead-
ers in the future.
Consumers use up for themselves what
others produce. Producers create, There is joy, satisfaction, and pride in
through themselves, what can be a ben- producing things for others. Consum-
efit to others. ing a delicious meal can satisfy the stom-
ach, but the joy of watching others eat a meal you’ve specially
prepared satisfies the heart and soul.
Consumers can be lazy in logic and critical thinking. If it sounds
good, smells good, looks yummy or fun, go for it. Producers have
to become problem solvers by nature and necessity in the creative It’s easy to spot all the ways our kids are being asked to consume.
process, sharpening their minds. Help them see in themselves and the world around them how

much they are needed to produce, to create art and goods and
food and ideas that can change someone’s life for good—maybe
Consumers slowly lose the ability to be creative and innovative. even their own.
Producers are forced to be creative and innovative.

82 “ኢትዮጵያ ለዘላለም ትኑር ” ድንቅ መጽሔት - ጥር 2013