Upstream,<\/i><\/a>\u00a0The Daily Wire\u2019s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories \u2014 from our featured writers to you.<\/i><\/p>\n***<\/p>\n
Welcome to Maycember. If you\u2019re a parent, you get this reference. In case you\u2019re unaware of the social media term, it\u2019s a reference to a whirlwind of deadlines and holidays: all the plays, recitals, field trips, projects due, tests and quizzes, student council elections, teacher\u2019s appreciation week (ironically the same week as Mother\u2019s Day weekend), Memorial Day weekend, and finally the end of the school year. It\u2019s a lot.<\/span><\/p>\nI was recently a chaperone for our school choir\u2019s annual competition, including over 50 fourth through eighth graders. We leave the school before 7 a.m., they compete, enjoy a Jersey Mike\u2019s sandwich picnic, and spend half a day at Universal Studios Hollywood for junk food and rides.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIt\u2019s controlled chaos, but our school enforces a few things that make it easier on chaperones. First, n<\/span>o phones except to text mom and dad. Second, d<\/span>ress code; it\u2019s a parochial school, so even though the kids can be in \u201cstreet clothes,\u201d they have a guideline of allowable attire. Third, t<\/span>he moms (and some brave dads) chaperoning have the authority to discipline, to an extent. Like, \u201cif you do that again, you will miss this next ride,\u201d or \u201cput your phone away or I will tell the principal.\u201d Ignoring these threats actually has consequences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThese rules are possible because of the tight-knit community we have of 150 families who have chosen a school with basic rules derived from biblical beliefs and a concept of human dignity. These principles used to be more common throughout society. But now, they\u2019re often lacking in our leaders and teachers.<\/span><\/p>\nThankfully, I was encouraged throughout the day as my chaperone buddy and our assigned group of eight middle schoolers made our way through the park, maneuvering around crowds, waiting in lines, going on rides, and buying and eating lunch. Instead of passersby being oblivious to our existence, they were aware and engaging. <\/span>Many times, I got a thumbs up, admiring smile, or verbal affirmation from total strangers at how we were communicating with and to the students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nI\u2019m pretty strict too.\u00a0 <\/span>You will often hear me telling my children and others, \u201cBe aware of your surroundings.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cSay excuse me!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cMove to the right! The escalator is like the road.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cKeep your hands to yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cHold the door for that mama!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nOnce, when waiting in line for the kids to order some hyper-sugary boba drink, I told them to all have their orders ready to go, told them to have card or cash in hand, and explained sales tax so they\u2019d have the right amount. A couple behind us said, \u201cWhoa, if only more adults had the same level of preparedness. This is so nice to see!\u201d We were a walking advertisement for decency, and maybe even our school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSocial awareness has gotten worse, especially since the pandemic. Humans, particularly children, weren\u2019t spending time in public. <\/span>What used to be socially normal interactions became so rare that almost everyone we came across was either afraid to see us, or us to see them \u2014 as if their presence outside of their homes was going to be judged. We started judging instead of engaging.<\/span><\/p>\nWe should go back to a culture of encouraging people to be considerate, socially aware human beings. Hold the door open for someone, walk down the street without looking down at your phone, chat with strangers, help a mom, and, heck, shame a kid for cutting in line, talking back to an adult, or acting dumb.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nBring back thoughtful kids, and bring back adults who aren\u2019t afraid to guide them in the right direction.<\/span><\/p>\n***<\/p>\n
Elisha Krauss is a conservative commentator, writer, and speaker who resides in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and their four children. She is an advocate for women\u2019s rights, school choice, and smaller government.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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