I don't know what to say to him without flat out telling him that the world is a different place now and that way of life is impossible now due to pollution, laws and property lines. Which I also can't put it into words that he'll understand. He's too young to understand what pollution and property lines mean...
2006-07-12 07:33:21 · 20 answers · asked by Alison B 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
This boy tamed a 2 year old mustang stud in less than a year. In that same year, he barely passed 5th grade, raised a bull for 4H and went to every single baseball game & practice for his little brother's team. Extremely good kid, all his teachers absolutely love him. I really don't want to break his heart or his spirit....desperate....
2006-07-12 07:35:32 · update #1
If he's in 5th grade, he's not too young to understand pollution and property lines. These are both fairly straight-forward concepts, and you should give him the credit for being the smart young man that he obviously is.
In theory, you could find a reservation to live on...I know that most there live in more modern houses than your son might be picturing, but it would be that much closer to his roots.
Perhaps you could make arrangements to go on a camping trip in the summer time. Find a place where you have to hike in, so that everyone's cars aren't lined up outside the camping area. Fish for your dinner and cook it on the fire. Although it's temporary, it might give him a "fix" for being one with nature, as his ancestors were...Not to mention that it could be good togetherness time for you.
2006-07-12 07:42:26 · answer #1 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not get him involved in the local Native American stuff. The kid obvously loves the outdoors and animals, take him camping and stuff. And there's no reason he can't live the way he wants if he works hard at his goals. He could save up, buy a few hundred acres, open a wilderness preserve where he teaches survival skills or something like that. It's still possible to live off of the land, it just takes a little more doing then it used to. ;) I'm a firm believer that anything is possible!
2006-07-12 07:41:07 · answer #2 · answered by rishathra7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He couldn't do it alone.
When he is old enough to decide, yes, he could live in the wilderness, but will still need others with him. And he will have to
buy a cabin somewhere, because there is no more FREE land.
As you state, "Native American", he may be interested.
Some day, take him to the S. Dakota Black Hills. Let him see the the statue of Cochise, under construction. The head is done now, but funds are slow to raise. You may or not know, the entire Mt. Rushmore statues would fit into one nostril of his horse.
Shoot, you probably know all this. There is much more, but I'll stop.
2006-07-12 08:12:05 · answer #3 · answered by ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it would help if you pointed out that like most other people everywhere, his Native American ancestors themselves changed and adopted new habits and materials and ways, over thousands of years, even before contact with Europeans, when they decided those changes were necessary or made life better. People can make changes to technologies or lifeways and still keep their core values intact, if they make an effort to do that and keep telling their stories.
It's not impossible to live that way, but it is very difficult. Since he is a kid, you have the responsibility to keep him safe. The modern world has things like penicillin and hospitals and the right of women to vote. When he is an adult, he can make his own choices about how to live. In the meantime, you can help him learn all he can about the lifestyle he's interested in. Maybe you can tell him that?
(We have similar discussions about why we can't live like people did in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and are historical reenactors.)
2006-07-12 07:52:22 · answer #4 · answered by NeferMaat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Help him work it out himself. You ask him the questions. If we did live like the Native Americans, where would we live? What would we do when we had to go potty? How would we see without lights? What would you do instead of watching TV or playing video games? Ask him why he thinks that the people who are Native Americans don't even live like that anymore. Be sincere, not "I told you so". Your 10 year old is smarter than you think. If all else fails, let him camp out in the back yard for a night or 2 and bond with nature. He also sounds like he would enjoy Boy Scouts. Let him know that even thought we can't live like the Native Americans, that doesn't mean we can't learn about them and appreciate what they have brought to our culture. Take him to a Native American museum.
2006-07-12 07:50:55 · answer #5 · answered by Jennilee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also have a 10 yr old son, and at that age they are not too young to understand the ways of the world. Its up to you to explain it to them. If he is bright like you say, then he knows what pollution is. He probably knows already why we can't live like that, he just wishes he could and is looking at you for an exlplanation as to why your family doesnt. Kids hear and understand all kinds of stuff, more than you would want them to know, trust me.
2006-07-12 07:46:43 · answer #6 · answered by trebobnagrom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at 10 he can most definitely understand those things if you explain what they mean. a 10 year old can understand many concepts if an adult takes the time to explain them on their level.
also, at 10 he doesn't need candy coated answers. be real with him, explain that the world isn't the same as it was back then. explain what happened to his ancestors and why the world is a different place.
growing up at my house meant we discussed current events at dinner and watched the news after dinner. i understood many more "adult" things earlier than my peers b/c my parents put the info out there instead of thinking that i was too young to "get" it. if i was confused, then i asked questions and they answered them.
i hope you try to put your mentality at his level and explain things on his level.
use the word pollution, but explain what it is.
take care.
if his spirit is that strong, which it sounds like it is....then instead of your answering crushing it, it will strengthen it. honestly, he will listen to your answer and rise above it.
2006-07-12 07:40:14 · answer #7 · answered by joey322 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's all you can tell him. If you explain to him what pollution and property lines are then maybe he'll understand.
2006-07-12 07:39:19 · answer #8 · answered by guineasomelove 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell him that the world is a very different place now and that things have changed. You dont have to go into any more details. Be specific.
2006-07-12 07:37:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same reason you can't ride a unicorn, its not reality, its the year 2006, people don't sleep with there heads in the dirt anymore
2006-07-12 07:39:21 · answer #10 · answered by AFwife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋