Cheeseburgers and Parenting

Time: 15 — 20 minutess

Materials: Dry erase board or large newsprint sheets, markers.

Procedure:

1. Write the word "REQUIREMENTS" on the board and ask what "requirement" means — something that must happen — not "it would be nice if...."

2. Imagine you own a cheeseburger stand and don't want to run it. You're going to hire someone to run it for you and at the end of each month they will bring you the money. You will then pay them and keep the rest. What are the "requirements" for the person you hire? List these from audience responses. Ask why some of the characteristics would be important. i.e. trust-they handle your money; reliable-they must show up etc.

3. Ask: If the person doesn't have most of the skills or characteristics listed what would happen to your business? (It would fail) Certainly, you could learn on the job but there might be some bad cheeseburgers and loss of some customers.

4. Now ask: What are the "requirements" in our society to become a parent? (None) Think about the importance of running a cheeseburger stand compared to parenting. Does this make sense?

5. If you could make some requirements to be met before becoming a parent what would they be? List next to the cheeseburger list. Again, ask why some of the characteristics would be "required".

6. After list is completed, say, if requirements aren't met for running a cheeseburger stand it fails — what happens if a person doesn't meet requirements listed for parenting? (Failed parenting) Again, you can learn on the job, but a lot of pain and damage can occur. Realistically, we could never make requirements for parenting for society — but we can make them for ourselves.