“A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help.” Albert Schweitzer
I have worked with children my entire life up to this point in time. I have raised four children, and at present, have seven grandchildren, I was a children’s librarian, worked at a day care facility, pre-schools, private school system, and many years at public school systems. I have a dual certification in special education and elementary education. I have been a witness to the upsets and stresses placed on our children. When so many children are hurting, it is time to ask ourselves why. Speaking for the children is important to me.
Many educational books have been written. Many parenting books have been written. All of these books that give excellent advice have been ignored, because things are worse, not better. Words have not reached or penetrated anyone because the problems keep increasing. It is time to look at this dilemma with new eyes. We can’t fix it with the old way of thinking. Our challenge as parents is to look at the facts. The facts do not lie.
Witnessing what is missing in our homes might promote an aggressive attempt at a new approach. It is essential that parents be included in this new endeavor. For too long society has left out these key ingredients: mother and father. Success comes from the love and nurturing at home. Teachers can’t teach without parental support. Society can’t reteach or rehabilitate broken children easily, or possibly ever, without parental involvement. Against all odds, some children grow up in poor circumstances but rise to become superstars. The difference in their home environments was love, encouragement, and support from their parents, or another caring adult. The power of love has been greatly underestimated. Although we all love our children, demonstrating this with hard work is paramount. This means placing our children’s needs first, constant watchfulness, and guiding them with integrity and righteousness.
Mnds will be open to an alternative way of thinking and solving our academic problems. Functional problems at home result in most of the academic and behavioral problems at school. I am devastated and diminished from the hurts and emotional scars children endure daily I hope to reach parents, administrators, and authorities on an emotional level, by sharing my own experiences, and those of others. Stopping the unconscious mistreatment of children is my goal. By stopping some harmful choices we make, children improve emotionally and academically. It certainly is worth the determination for all of us to make an effort.
The stories in the book are what grasp the reader and expectantly inspire remorse. The book is not selling the rules of parenting. Instead, it dares one to observe the pain through the eyes of a child. We are on a quest to question our own style of parenting. All of us make mistakes, but not all of us admit it to ourselves. All of us can improve, but not all of us will attempt to correct what is wrong. Telling someone to improve, or encouraging someone to make progress does not usually work if that person cannot believe or see they are deficient.
This book hopes to demonstrate, through a child’s eyes, the pain we are inflicting on our children. It’s up to each individual to take the challenge and reach for the goal. We will never have a more difficult trial or a more rewarding achievement if we aspire to achieve our target. We can become the parent we wish we had. A baby step here and there is all that is required, along with an understanding of what is really at stake. Dare to be better than you ever thought you could be, attempt to do more than you ever thought was possible, risk more than you ever thought you should, and in the end you will rejoice more at the results of your efforts. We should pick up the ball, and stop passing it to others, and then call a fumble.
Most people worry about their own sense of importance. We constantly compare ourselves to others and fall short by our standards. I think it is because we are measuring the wrong things. Parenting has taken a back seat the length of a mile. It is not even considered something we should contemplate. Good Loving parenting promotes huge feelings of success. Parenting is fulfilling rewarding and happiness producing. It is a worthy goal to accomplish and the highest goal any of us can ever achieve. Again I say “don’t ask yourself if you are happy, instead ask yourself if your life has meaning and if you are a parent It most definitely does have tremendous meaning.
“I Regard (Parenting) the hardest, the most complicated, anxiety ridden, sweat-and-blood producing job in the world. Succeeding requires the ultimate in patience, common sense, commitment, humor, tact, love, wisdom, awareness, and knowledge. At the same time, it holds the possibility, for the most rewarding, joyful experience of a lifetime, namely, that of being success guides to a new and unique being.” Virginia Satir
