GROWING UP IN THE 60S--LIFE LESSONS

Psychology says people who grew up in the 1960s learned 8 life lessons that are rarely taught today

1. Boredom became the birthplace for creativity--
My parents’ response to complaints of boredom was consistent: “Go find something to do.”
Many at the time felt like this was a form of neglect. Now psychologists recognize it as something valuable. Research from the Child Mind Institute shows that boredom helps children develop planning strategies, problem-solving skills, and flexibility. When kids must figure out how to entertain themselves, they exercise cognitive muscles that constant stimulation never builds.

2. Failures were allowed to sting
Kids weren't handed participation trophies back then parents acknowledged losses and disappointments, but they didn’t treat it like a crisis.
The message was clear: this is how life works sometimes.
“Life isn’t fair” wasn’t a cruel dismissal. It was preparation.

Experiencing failure without excessive cushioning taught my generation that setbacks aren’t permanent catastrophes. Research confirms that when children are given opportunities to struggle and sometimes fail, they develop critical coping and resilience skills. Children who never encounter manageable failure often lack the confidence that comes from knowing they can recover.

3. Waiting was a normal part of life aka patience is a virtue
Nearly everything in our day required patience. Want that new bike? Save your allowance. Excited about the next episode of your favorite show? Wait until next week. Need to look something up? Get yourself to the library

But the famous marshmallow experiments conducted by Walter Mischel in the 1960s and 1970s at Stanford demonstrated that the ability to delay gratification predicts better outcomes in academic performance, health, and life satisfaction decades later.

We couldn’t stream anything. We couldn’t order anything with next-day delivery. We couldn’t get answers to questions without effort. This wired our brains differently, building what psychologists call stronger executive function, the ability to control impulses and work toward long-term goals.

4. Unsupervised play was normal
From the time I could walk, my world expanded in concentric circles. First the backyard. Then the front yard. Then across the street and finally the block. Eventually the entire neighborhood became our territory, governed by kid-made rules and kid-enforced justice.

There were no adults rushing in to mediate conflicts or supervise our adventures. We climbed trees that could have killed us. We built forts with questionable structural integrity. We navigated social dynamics without parental interference. We worked out our differences and were able to navigate issues among ourselves

Research published in Scientific American confirms that this kind of free play is critical for developing social skills, stress management, and problem-solving abilities. Without constant adult supervision, children develop risk tolerance, independence, and the confidence that comes from figuring things out themselves.

5. Adults were not always available
When I came home from school, I let myself in, I made my own snack, I started my homework without being asked, did whatever chores I needed to do, I figured things out.

6. We witnessed and experienced real life
Experiencing grief and loss was a normal part of life. Pets just didn't disappear, loved ones didn't go off to some exotic place. We witnessed and experienced loss and grief. Allowing children to be a part of the process helps them to cope later in life

7. We learned by doing not by being told
Parents didn’t lecture about the value of hard work. They showed by example, leaving before dawn and returning after dark, never complaining. Kids watched as their legal immigrant grandparents built a life from nothing, their actions speaking louder than any advice they might have offered.

Values were transmitted through observation rather than instruction. We watched adults navigate difficulties, make decisions, treat others with respect or disrespect, and we absorbed those lessons unconsciously.

Psychologists call this modeling, and it remains one of the most powerful forms of learning. The lessons that shaped our character weren’t taught in formal settings. They were caught through countless small moments of watching adults live their lives.

8. Community was our safety net
Every adult in the neighborhood had implicit permission to correct any child’s behavior. The lady next door would scold us for cutting through her garden. The man across the street would tell our parents if he caught us doing something dangerous.

We grew up understanding that we were part of something larger than our individual families. There were shared expectations, shared responsibilities, shared investment in how the next generation turned out.

That sense of interconnection has largely evaporated. But those of us who experienced it understand something about human flourishing that isolation can never provide. We’re social creatures who thrive when embedded in webs of mutual obligation and support.

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The Lost Art of Communication

 

Many people in today's society have lost the ability to communicate and sadly, many young people will never learn the basic principles, joy and importance of communication. Instead of being connected to others people have created a bond with the online world which robs them of the most important aspects of interpersonal communication; tone of voice and body language.  Less than 10% of effective communication comes from words while about 90% comes from tone of voice and body language.

Letters no longer written or received, notes to a friend no longer a fun thing to do, phone calls to friends and family seldom done leaving many people forgotten and completely alone in a world numb to the feelings, needs and intention of others.

The process of putting your thoughts and feelings into words then taking the time to write them down or make a phone call is far more personal and thoughtful and creates a stronger bond than clicking a like button, texting or emailing and are much more appreciated by the receiver. 

It seems if you are not posting about your life online many people think you have no life. Many people think having hundreds of so-called friends increases their self worth. Most importantly many people feel it is important to post every aspect of their life rather than share the events of their life with a phone call or face to face interactions with their loved ones.

Social media does have a place in our society. Connecting with vast numbers of strangers for business purposes is certainly a positive outcome. The ability to share photos and events with those far away certainly is a positive aspect but this does not negate the importance of actually talking to or visiting with those we claim to be near and dear.  

NURSES CODE OF ETHICS

 

 REMEMBER WHEN IN NURSING

WT LOSS TIPS

WT LOSS TIPS
#1-Keep a diet diary. Write everything down that you put in your mouth, yep that means mints/gum, drinks, everything. Note Net Carbs with ea meal. #2-Wt in Once a Month #3-Keep total daily carbs <20g #4-Walk, Swim or Bike then Do It Again

Nurse’s Report: Observations and Evaluation from a Nurse and Family Member’s View:

Many changes have occurred in my profession over the past 40+ years.  Many have been positive changes resulting in an improved quality of care in various aspects of nursing.  Sadly, however, some changes leave a negative impact not only for patients’ safety and outcomes but for our profession in general.  Nurses stuck to computers and cell phones have become a situation that is out of control and must be changed.  Nurses using diagnostic templates and care guides without incorporating individual patient goals and outcomes has become common place and is completely contradictory to the overall concept and core of nursing: The Nursing Care Plan.   Our profession has essentially removed itself from the bedside and chained the nurse to the desk.

This note comes after observing and caring for multiple family members and friends over the past year while they received care at a local hospital in Broward County, FL.   Since the majority of the observations occurred repetitively and during various admissions it would appear that the nursing culture in this hospital group has changed significantly and sadly, not for the better.  I worked at the facility in question when they first opened and over the past 40 years many friends and family have received care at this hospital. Never have I felt the need to express concern as to the care or lack thereof.   In fact, I constantly boasted to all I knew how wonderful this hospital is and how very much I would recommend it and its sister hospitals.  Now, sadly I hesitate to do so.

First and foremost let me say the nursing staff and most of the physicians in the ER and ICU were superb and the quality of care in these units was without a doubt excellent.   Overall the staff was pleasant and personable however, all the staff we encountered in the last year stated how they hated their jobs, were eager to leave and hated what nursing as a profession has become.  One doctor even stated more than once, "Nursing has gone to hell; they don't do much of anything anymore.  Hospitals will kill you, get out now!"    In all my years I NEVER heard a doctor speak about nursing like this. In all my experiences I have NEVER heard nursing as a profession so disrespected and ridiculed.

Here is but an example of what I have observed more than once based on just three people I know and cared for while in the hospital over the last year with the most recent just this month. 

While in the ER:

The PA and Paramedic both made no effort to clarify to the patient their title and role when the patient called them doctor.  (Lay people need this explained slowly and clearly).

When the RN treating said relative asked the Case Manger for help to find a doctor the reply was “he does not have insurance and I can’t be bothered” (There’s no excuse for this)

On discharge with a large umbilical hernia the patient was referred to a surgeon who only takes private insurance or cash.  When the patient asked for help finding a doctor who would take Medicaid he was told they (the nursing staff) are not allowed to help.  (This is completely contradictory as to how to discharge a patient)

While on Telemetry at IPMC: The following occurred at least twice with both people having the diagnosis of DVT and Bilateral PE:

A RN arrived to the room within 15 minutes of arrival to enter demographic data into a bedside computer.  NO ASSESSMENT WAS DONE

A second RN arrived about 30 later minutes later stating she would be the nurse tending to the patient.  She put on the halter monitor and yet again NO ASSESSMENT WAS DONE.

Neither of the two nurses looked at the affected extremity, evaluated respiratory status, palpated for pulses, assessed hep lock site, took vitals, etc.  (This is beyond comprehension that nurses do not do assessments anymore)

Nurse and PCA's were constantly interrupted by cell phones while at the bedside, which they answered immediately and often abruptly left the bedside to return 30 minutes to hours later.   (This facility uses cell phones to communicate among staff; these should be turned off while at the bedside. This is probably one of the worse practices I have ever seen)

 O2 was knocked off while the patient slept.  The next day it was still off, this went unnoticed.  It was well over 8 hours later when I finally pointed it out to the nurse.  O2 Sat was not checked, the oxygen was stopped.

Not one PCA/NA offered assist with hygiene yet patients were on complete bed rest.   

One nurse came into the room around 2 am and woke the patient to try and discuss doctor assigned to the case! (You don’t wake people at that hour to discuss such things)

Although patients were permitted to use the BSC (without a doctor’s orders mind you) no one bothered to leave toilet tissue and no one came to clean it out. 

On two admissions the nurse tried to state that the patient’s primary care doctor did not go to that hospital and tried to assign a house doctor.  Both patients’ doctors most certainly do go to the hospital in question, I intervened to rectify that issue.   

Tests were ordered which the patient did not understand and subsequently did not want

On the day of discharge, after I mentioned that not one RN did an assessment nor did one Aide offer assistance with hygiene during the entire stay did someone come in to help. 

Again, let me reiterate that the staff was amazingly pleasant and kind however, they did not provide quality nursing care.

In summary, It is obvious nurses need to get back to the basics.  Fundamental care should not be overlooked and pushed aside.

HOUSEHOLD CHORES-ORGANIZED & MADE EASY

HOUSEHOLD CHORES-ORGANIZED & MADE EASY:

The advantages of a clean home are numerous.  No, I don’t mean spotless, Homes & Gardens picturesque clean.  I am talking about one where there are not too many crumbs on the kitchen floor for the baby to eat, where you have clean laundry and bed linens, clean dishes to eat off of, and can take a bath without fear of touching something gross and contagious.  Of course the biggest advantages of a clean home are comfort and safety.   Clean bathrooms and kitchens are actually very important because you don't want to spread germs around the house which cause illness.  Tidy and clean living rooms can help avoid accidents.  Another advantage of following a list or guide is everything that is important gets cleaned on a consistent basis therefore you don't forget something or neglect something too long, generally, to the point where it gets really out of control.

So, let’s begin with the daily clean-up routine.

 

Every morning we get up, put on clean clothes, eat breakfast, dirty a few dishes, etc.  You know the drill.  However, what if one morning we wake up to put on our clean clothes, or eat our bowl of cereal, and there are no clean clothes or dishes?   Our life has been disrupted and we could have avoided this.

How can we avoid disrupting our life?  Simply by making sure that our household cleaning schedule reflects and complements our daily routines and habits.  Actions such as cleaning our dirty dishes  or washing laundry as a load appears or putting things away right immediately, when done as consistently as we use them, will keep our life going in an easy and organized manner.  In other words clean the dishes or rinse and put them in the dishwasher right after you use them.  Don’t wait and let the dirty clothes pile up; it is easy to knock out one load while watching TV.   

When I talk about daily household chores I am not talking about cleaning your house for hours on end each day.  In fact, you will find that using a daily clean up schedule you will not need to clean that long at all and it certainly makes the weekly cleaning a great deal easier and quicker.

The following two lists (daily cleanup and weekly chores list) are only guides, but generally I think these are pretty universal.   Using these list should certainly help keep your home tidy and easier for you to keep clean.

Daily Household Cleanup:

Take out Trash

Make beds

Dirty Clothes Control:  Place dirty clothes in laundry baskets, not tossed around the house and wash a load when you can.

Tidy as You Go:  Make sure to put things where they belong, don’t let things pile up in one spot. It is harder to clean up a huge pile later on.  Toss out anything you no longer want rather than let it pile up for later. In other words, tidy up as you go.

Bathrooms:  Daily bathroom cleaning beats weekly scrubbing of scum and old pee any day.  Bathrooms are one of the dirtiest places in the house.  They should be done at the very least once a week if not more often.  Here's an easy way to keep the bathrooms manageable and always clean.  Be sure to keep Clorox wipes under the sink or next to the toilet on the floor.  Once you and your partner both get into this habit you will see how easy it really is. It takes all of a few minutes and poof, the only thing left weekly in the bathrooms will be the floors.

General Bathroom Area:   The idea here is that each person in the home chips in and does this at least once a day so let’s say after a BM.  Put those Clorox wipes left in the bathroom to good use.  Wipe down the toilet well making sure to lift the toilet seat, wipe well around all parts of the seat and around the base of the toilet too.  Wipe down counter and fixtures with a new wipe.

Shower & Tubs:  Use shower to shower or similar item with each shower.  Assuming you sprayed the shower after your last visit and left the product on all surfaces.  Keep a toilet brush in the corner of the shower and while standing in there scrub the walls and tub well.  Use the handheld shower head to rinse all surfaces then spray with shower to shower on exiting.   If all parties do this daily it takes just a couple minutes and no scum will build up.

Kitchen:  Clean up kitchen after meals including using Clorox wipes on all counter surfaces and cabinets handles.  Sweep up crumbs on the floor.  Run and empty dishwasher as needed.  Every time you go into the refrigerator get in the habit of looking for outdated items and toss them, keep it tidy and wipe any spills right away.  Every time you go into the pantry, put things back where they belong and keep it tidy.  These quick steps will go a long way to help avoid huge, hour upon hour cleaning later on.  Quick tip to help keep cabinets doors clean--as you stand there waiting for something to boil or bake, wipe down the cabinet doors. 

Garage, Patio & Grill:  Between each monthly maintenance of these areas just keep them tidy and cleaned up with each use.  

Brush Pets: This may need to be done daily with long haired pets and it may suffice to do it biweekly. Adjust your schedule accordingly.

Keep a Shopping List:  Check paper products and cleaning supplies as you go and keep a list. Each time you go into the pantry or refrigerator note items you will need.  It is much easier and quicker to keep a list going than to try to see everything you need right before you want to go shopping. This also helps to keep the spending under control as you will shop according to what you need rather than impulse shop.

WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD CHORES:

Side Note on Pets: The number of times each week the floors will need to be done is dependent upon the number of pets in the home and if they shed a lot or a little.  Some homes will need to be vacuumed and mopped daily while others can easily be done biweekly. It is highly recommended that floors in homes with pets be swept at least twice a week and mopped at least weekly. 

Monday –

Wash bed sheets.  

Dust upstairs.  Sweep, vacuum and/or mop upstairs and steps-Pet hair loves to congregate in the corners of steps so be sure to vacuum stairs well. 

Tuesday –

Laundry as needed (don’t forget those nice hand towels in the guest bathroom). 

Pay bills as needed. 

File as needed, etc.

Dust downstairs.

Sweep, vacuum and/or mop downstairs floors.   

Groom pets as needed.

Wednesday –

Clean bathrooms-If you follow the daily suggestion the bathrooms will be pretty much clean, just wipe up as needed and mop the floors.

Clean Kitchen- If you follow the daily suggestions the kitchen will be in order and pretty much clean, just mop and scrub floor and flush disposal drain with vinegar.

Thursday –

Laundry as needed

Friday-

If you have a pet/s, repeat floor cleaning in the area the pet/s reside the most.  

Saturday –

Sunday –

Grocery shop

Cook and portion meals for the week

   Laundry as needed

   Lawn and yard work as needed

See monthly and annual maintenance schedule too