Recently, Justin Bieber was in town. One mother, a friend of ours, was willing to sacrifice the month's food allowance for a ticket because her 9-year-old was at her wits end. They were already at the concert gates when suddenly the mom held back because she never expected those tickets would cost more than her estimate.
Exasperated with the unexpected turn of events, the daughter sobbed, unable to comprehend how $47 can be more important than a few hours with Justin Bieber.
While this uncompromising and immature reaction comes from a child, some adults actually behave similarly albeit on a different level. In fact, that a child would come up with such argument can be traced to parents unable to relate to what is truly essential, a view so ironic specially when one considers that this is a country where the daily cost of living for a family of six is around $10, based on data from the National Wage Commission.
But how do you explain that to a 9-year-old who thinks the world for her will end if she does not get to see this concert, even from the most cheapest seat in the house?
Lucky for our friend, a good Samaritan saw the daughter's distress. He thought he needed a better seat, which essentially equates to a more expensive ticket, and so gave his current to her. For free. I am impressed because amidst the screaming of delirious fans, someone still heard a child's voice.
And so both mother and daughter ended the evening feeling euphoric, but surely more so for the mom. It is not everyday we encounter acts of random kindness.
But what do you actually do when, except for you, all your mates in school watched Justin Bieber and talk nothing but? I think it is all too much for a 9-year-old to handle. So rather than put their kid in such awkward situation, parents, whether it causes a severe dent on their budget, buy a ticket.
All this pushed me to start a mini survey through my Facebook page. I asked friends if they will, granting they have the funds for it, buy their 9-year-old a ticket to a Justin Bieber concert and why.
Almost everyone said they will. One mother even paid nearly $400 for it, justifying the purchase as a once in a lifetime event.
But a comment stood out like a sore thumb because it was the only one opposed to the idea, even seen by a few as off-centered hence grossly unpopular. Simply, this gentleman believes the cost can not justify the expense.
He is with the opinion they are better spent on books or given away to help ones who have less. Learning is, for him, above all. And after reading the text of Rico Hizon's speech during the Toastmaster's International District 75 Annual Conference in Manila entitled "Being Proud of our won Filipino-English Diction", I have to agree with him.
But a comment stood out like a sore thumb because it was the only one opposed to the idea, even seen by a few as off-centered hence grossly unpopular. Simply, this gentleman believes the cost can not justify the expense.
He is with the opinion they are better spent on books or given away to help ones who have less. Learning is, for him, above all. And after reading the text of Rico Hizon's speech during the Toastmaster's International District 75 Annual Conference in Manila entitled "Being Proud of our won Filipino-English Diction", I have to agree with him.
While going for a ticket may be perceived as being the best and the easiest, here opens an opportunity for real parenting, a time to really connect and to communicate.
Here is a time to talk about values and explain that, to borrow from Seth Godin, "Popular is almost never a measure of impact, or genius, or art. Popular rarely correlates with guts, hard work or a willingness to lead...."
Here is a chance to explain what really matters. And at an age when guidance is key, there is no better setting. We may still end up buying the ticket but the opportunity at parenting never wasted
I read that the creative few you usually find off the center. Eccentric is the most common term used. But off center, in fact, is where genius often emerges.
So to close, let me share this.
My daughter is often seen as unusual, even thought of as incapable of being a social creature, all because she is being home schooled. But more than any kid, she is fearless when it comes to expressing her art. She does not have to look at what the other is doing before starting on her goals. She would rather be in flannel shirts, jeans and high cut Chucks. For her, independence is king.
Yes, she is not mainstream, a non-ordinary.
Importantly for her, she does not believe she has to be in a Justin Bieber concert in order to be in. Being herself is enough.
