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Give your child a fish, and you can feed him for dinner. But teach him how to fish, and you’ve helped him learn to survive – plus gain wonderful experiences in the water and gather lifetime memories along the way.
I’m a living witness to how much my childhood fishing trip benefits honed me today regarding admiring and respecting bodies of water, learning distinct skill sets from first watching my dad and big brother and then finally me when I was 6. They allowed me to go hands-on – and even now with how I’m raising my own children.
Truth be told, I spent a few years contemplating what I’ve learned from my dad. We spent most weekends in lakes and beaches, and while we were fishing, he would tell me that I had to love fishing to be more patient when I’m waiting to catch some fish. Now that he’s gone and I’m old enough to be a parent, I am reminding my kids of their grandfather – the greatest dad – by teaching them how to fish as well.
Below are some of the reasons why counselors – and definitely I – would recommend teaching your kids how to fish.
Fishing Gets Your Children Off Of Their Phones And Gadgets
Let’s face it, almost every kid these days have a phone, tablet, or Xbox player. It’s not that I’m blaming technology to be the culprit here. It’s just that technology is usually abused and sometimes becomes the cause of addiction. Unfortunately, too many children are just too engrossed in being connected to the world most of the day. They’re the first generation in history actually to be raised around smartphones and 24/7 Internet connection. Still, there have been no studies to measure how tremendous of an effect this will be on today’s children when they grow up.
Whether or not addiction to video players and cellphones affect kids in the future, it is definitely taking a toll today with more overweight children in the United States. So why don’t we get our kids outdoors with a rod and some bait in hand? The feeling of fish touching your line is uniquely inspiring. Surely no technology can win over – at least not as of today – and it will be better for them to detach themselves from their gadgets and connect with the fishing hobby instead.
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It Cultivates Patience
Many television networks have a limitless amount of fun options for kids on the web that teach them that they can do what they want and get what they want when they want it.
I’m trying to say that quick and convenient access to almost anything, whenever we want, does great harm in cultivating patience. On the contrary, introducing children to fishing helps them realize that great things come to them if they wait. And presently, kids who are patient with truly excel all of the younger kids that have no idea what patience is all about. Bring them out the lake with that fishing pole for a few hours and notice how their behavior changes positively.
Fishing Educates Children About How Real Conversations Matter
Most experts that have studied the effects of technology and the Internet on kids and young adolescents are very concerned about how these will impact their communication skills. You don’t have to be a scientist to know this. Watch them interact nowadays. You’ll notice that they don’t even say one or two words to each other because they’re so busy pushing the buttons of their phones. Many kids also claim that they’d rather text their friends, even if they’re just insight, rather than talk to them. How sad!
On the other hand, fishing can be a time for communication and interaction – a time to put the gadgets and phones down and enjoy nature and each other’s company. I myself find that it’s one of the best times to spend with my children when we go fishing.
It Builds Memories Worth Keeping
As your children grow up, they will not recall the video games they used to play. And yes, they probably won’t remember the present you gave them three Christmases ago. However, what all of us, adults, seem to remember immediately constantly is a fishing excursion with our parents, grandparents, friends, and significant others. Their memories of when they went fishing may be the perfect present that you can ever give them.
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Nowadays, with children attempting to do what the adults do at a much earlier age, one of the best solutions is to get them engrossed with fishing rather than the harmful habits that could potentially hurt them – or worse, kill them. While they’re young, take them along when you go fishing. Let fishing be an ‘addicting’ hobby to them. I tell you, you’ll be happy you did!