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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Allowed - Aloud (01/05/23)
Since my parents were from that GREAT Generation they raised children with certain standards. The saying “children are to be seen & not heard”, was a major one. These standards were practiced publicly by people in the community. Children 3-12 yr. of age allowed to speak in parks or picnic settings. In all other settings could not say aloud to any adults.

Most of these times occurred in the 5 & 10 Woolworth store. As children were allowed to wander around in a group & had to come back to the check out when we had “eyed” what we wanted parent to buy. We could speak in a soft voice to our parent but not that the clerk could hear aloud what we were saying. If we were given the money we could then go take our items up to clerk & then allowed to say aloud that we are purchasing these items. We knew if we didn’t obey this rule it would be MONTHS before we were allowed to come along on the next trip.

The only other setting where the rules were modified was the Library. There were no individual cubical or private rooms but there were designated tables and they allowed you to talk “softly”. And I was never so over joyed that in my junior year of high school the new library had small cubicle to sit in fit friends & listen to a tape recorder!! In here you were allowed to listen and talk aloud!!!

Fast forward 50 years to the Great Generation’s’ Grandkids mode of parenting. This Group allowed their kids openly talk back, cry, hit/ kick or fall down on floor or have total tantrum when parent says no. This group of parents never established the rules before going to the store. Since there are no rules said before leaving home kids see this as being allowed to say anything in an aloud volume at any time! This creates much chaos in the store & I have left store because I don’t like seeing the child rule the parent.

Most of my standards of how to parent came from my upbringing. My neighbors remarked that I raised a child who had manners. Even strangers in the store would remark how well behaved he was. He spoke to everyone in civil & respectful tone. I accomplished this because I modeled what I allowed and told him what was expected before we even left the house.

This never became so clear that at the age of 5 my son, had filled his pockets with Jelly Belly- jelly beans. He told me aloud that he didn’t steal them. So I asked how it that his pockets were full? His reply was “it was free because it was off the floor!” So because he knew he was allowed to tell me the truth, I told him thanks & we had to buy “clean candy” to eat. So when a child knows what is allowed & when they can say aloud the truth things work out for the best!!
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Linda Lawrence 
01/12/23
Your content is interesting and pertinent and certainly on topic! You could eliminate most of your uses of the topic words and still make your point. I suggest , simply for your own writing practice, that you give that a try. That is, rewrite this piece, using synonyms for the topic words . . . or not. Your essay is so on topic that it doesn't need the topic words!
Arlene Baker
01/13/23
I agree with the above point. As you develop creatively, you will find ways of writing about the topic words without ever writing the topic words!!!! It's challenging but a handy skill.

Also, learn to write active, not passive. Another difficult thing to learn but so worth it. In other words, take your reader into the store. Let the reader feel the experience. The longing. The satisfaction of reward.

Rather than cover three distinct situations, concentrate on one or two and develop them further. The reader will become involved and that is the point of all writing. Communication!
Philippa Geaney
01/14/23
I congratulate you on your entry idea.
I enjoy reading and finding out fellow entrant’s management of the topic.
The comments above are generous and great - advice from folk who've got the runs on the board are always a fast track to tighter and interesting writing.
I find I am a little sheepish when commenting - other than giving friendly encouragement- as when I write, I frequently don't follow my own advice.
As a reader though you could have waved a golden wand over your idea, bringing it to unputdownable had you done a little more ‘show’ rather than ‘tell’, by using action. Verbs they tell me is the way to go. Keep at it.??
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
01/16/23
Thanks so much for sharing. This could be turned into a great piece of encouragement for new parents.
Blessings
Shari Armstrong 
01/17/23
Hi - Challenge Coordinator here: Please be aware that this challenge was a little different and entries HAD to use both words of the topic. While using synonyms is also good, this time these two words had to appear in the entry and at least one of them be central to the theme. There has never been a rule that people can't use the topic word in their entries (this has been causing confusion for some folks for a while now).

Thanks for entering! And thanks to all the wonderful folks who took time to comment :) It is appreciated!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/19/23
You did a great job. I've heard the saying before but never heard it applied quite so stringently so it was neat to see it from a new perspective. You've gotten some great advice 0that I often give so I won't repeat it. In this quarter's challenge it is important for both words to be used, but you don't need to repeat them as often because you did an outstanding job of letting the reader know the topic words with your storyline. I'd urge you to read some of the pieces in level 4 and some of the top winners tomorrow for sure. I look forward to reading more of your work.