I just found out that November 20th is, apparently, Children’s Day (even though the logo above says it’s the second Sunday in June). And not only that, but Children’s Day was celebrated even before Mother’s or Father’s Day, which is absurd because without mothers and fathers there would be no children. Children’s Day dates back as far as 1856 and was first celebrated in June. Since then it has it has gone through several changes in dates. The fact that it has moved around so much may be one reason why I never heard of it.
Knowing now that there is an official Children’s Day sort of undermines my ultimate closing argument when silencing the complaints of my own kids throughout their young lives: Whenever they would whine or complain or simply state that they wished their birthdays or Christmas came more often, I would always remind them of how good they have it and how much we do for them every day, followed up of course by “when I was your age I had to walk both ways uphill, barefoot in the snow…” In other words, when dealing with my own kids it was my contention was every day was Children’s Day. Apparently not, because Children’s Day is November 20th.
More detailed information from Examiner.com: Children’s Day was formally celebrated throughout the world in October of 1953, when the International Union for Child Welfare in Geneva sponsored the day. Then in 1954 V.K Krishna Menon, Indian Nationalist and Politician, debated a Universal Children’s Day, which was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly. November 20th also marks the anniversary when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959.
Again, this goes against another argument I’ve used for many years with my kids. When they would get all self-righteous and uppity, declaring that our household rules were unfair and unjust, demanding that all their friends had ipods, cell phones and no midnight curfews, I would remind them that they are MY children and have no rights because this family is a dictatorship. Then I might throw in an unnecessary insult just because I could.
I never said I was a good parent – that role belongs to Mrs. Unaccomplished Angler.
Regardless of whether you knew about Children’s Day or not, it sounds like a good excuse to be nice to your kids. Afterall, they’re the ones that are going to be taking care of us when we get to that point in our lives. To celebrate maybe take them fishing, or buy them a token gift. Might I suggest the Olive the Woolly Bugger series of children’s books? At a mere $12.95 you can buy all three in the series for less than the cost of something else that costs more than all three books.
Happy Children’s Day.
That is the funniest thing I have read in a long time. Not children’s day so much(seems pretty political if you ask me), but “At a mere $12.95 you can buy all three in the series for less than the cost of something else that costs more than all three books.” Made my week.
I don’t want to criticize you in any way, David- because I value my vast readership of 7 (which includes you). However, if you found that much enjoyment in my statement I think your bar is set WAY too LOW! I appreciate it, though- folks like you allow me to be aqequate. Hope the rest of your week doesn’t go downhill from here 😉
Ah Kirk,
You are an unabashed capitalist. It amazes me how often that you can throw in your books, no mater what subject you are discussing.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Stan. After my shameless act of “unabashed capitalism” I felt bad and saw the error of my ways, and thought for a moment that perhaps it was inappropriate and uncalled for to solicit my books in such a manner. And then I quickly got over those feelings of remorse.