Over the last week I have made a few posts that unintentionally carried the same theme, or at least lead to a theme that combines them. The theme, based on the old African proverb, "It takes a Village to Raise a Child". It's common sense, right?
The first step and the most important lies on the parents. Now that's a no-brainer, yet there are too many parents that find themselves too busy. Too busy with work and outside obligations. Here's a news flash- your child is your highest priority. If you don't see your child all week long, don't go golfing all day on Saturday. If you don't see your kids before they go to sleep everyday, skip happy hour with the co-workers and get your ass home. If you only have two weeks vacation a year, why are you using one of those weeks to go on a fishing trip with your friends?
Being a parent is such an honor, it amazes me how many people can screw it up. For example: Why is childhood obesity such a problem? Because fastfood is soooo convenient, as is packaged, food (loaded with synthetics, chemical flavor enhancers and preservatives). Is that burger really worth the 99 cents? Another reason, parents are too busy- too busy to get involved. The t.v., video games and computers have become in-house baby-sitters and tranquilizers. Watch a kid in front of a computer or t.v., they look like zombies.
Want to improve national scores in the United States? Make parenting a higher priority. Make sure someone is reading to children everyday from birth. Make sure someone is introducing them to music, history, art, nature and how to think creatively. Make sure proper decisions are being made in regards to children's diet (no processed foods or chemicals).
The change starts at home. It's like Gandhi said "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
With the right background, that every child deserves, then mentors like Ted White or Martha Fairchild can truly make a great impact on a young mind. Parents who put all of that responsibility on schools need to change their ways. Schools don't get children until they are 5. It's too late to undo the neglect at that point. Teach you children to become life long learners by teaching them to love learning.
Okay, so that's my rant for today. The concept of taking a village to raise a child has serious limitations if kids aren't being introduced to classical music, art museums, foreign language, world cultures, etc. until the school field trip. If you do have the opportunity to mentor or teach, then pass on everything, give them everything you have, don't hold back. If you have a little neighbor, a nephew, neice, baby cousin, then get involved and make a difference. It's not difficult and very rewarding. Okay, I'm done now.
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6 comments:
How true! The same people who criticize schools are the ones that don't have time for their own kids! Learning begins at home folks.
Society needs to place greater attention on the roles and responsibilities of parenting. Also, before you compare our kids scores with Japan, take a look at how much education takes place in the home before the schooling years begin- an entirely different philosophy yields entirely differnt results.
Sorry, I was in such a hurry that I mispelled a word!! See how this subject gets me all fizzled??
Try having a kid in class that can't even write their own name. Or a child that needs to be taught basic hygeine because it was never taught at home. Shameful, isn't it? It needs to change, but how do you make parents do a better job?
Great discussion
Thanks for mentioning the crap that's in processed foods. SO GROSS. Besides killing your kids body by feeding them that, it also contributes to mental and learning disorders.
I've seen a mom downtown buying cigarettes for herself and buying those carbonated blue slushies for her 5-year-old kids. Disgusting.
On the other hand, I've seen a mom in Whitehall teaching her 3-year-old daughter Japanese letters and numbers along with English ones. And this was not a Japanese family, just one that wanted to stimulate their child's mind. That's the mom I want to be... not the smoking slushie one on welfare...
Wow, Jim...You should publish your works in higher forms...i.e. send it to the national government and hope that they get their ass in gear to put responsibility on parents to start parenting, instead of passing it off on everyone else...It's one thing to need assistance because of unforeseen circumstances out of one's control, but it's another to be lazy and expect things to just fall into place. Thank you for the posting. You have the audacity to say what needs to be said...Thank you.
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