I wanted to share this, I thought about it and it is a topic that has crossed many people that I talk to, parents and of course single individuals. I am so surprised and what I hear and there so called explanation of why this is occurring in today’s day and age.
As many of you know there has been a lot of news media about children having sexual partners as early as 10 or even younger. There is news coverage about schools handing out condom to 1st graders and about teenagers, in high school making packs to get pregnant. And the stories and events continue, I mean we all remember one of our presidents caught get a knob job in the Oval office and it seems to be all OK.
The thing that drives me bananas is that…the reasoning for this happening is…”Times are Different from when you grew up, it’s ok, and you should just flow with it”. I mean are you serious….”Times are different…” is your answer to this? I am astonished. I get this also from my sister-in-laws as well…I am seriously dumb founded.
I mean the only thing that I see different now that when I was growing up or when my parents were growing up is…technology…and the EASE of accessibility to all sorts of social networks, online access to well just about anything that we did not have such access to…so a bit more innocence was maintained before…a bit more. But changing times and Technology should not give parents or guardians and excuse to allow such behavior.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe in corporal punishment or denying your children whom they should hang out with or even date for that matter. Because we all know what happens when a father or mother tell their son or daughter not to date someone…they do anyways and in secrecy and maybe end up pregnant. I think we need to educate our children, be a parent…yah be a cool friend might get you kudos with your kids friends, but it won’t do a darn thing for the growth of your children. Being a parent is about being a parent and guiding your children through life, provided advice, direction and sometimes holding there hands on those little rough times. Being a parent is about allowing your children to explorer, hang with whom they want, but being a parent also requires you to set perimeters on what they explorer and explain the things they should not explorer, being a parent is about knowing whom your kids are hanging with, but keep guide them on those kids that may be a bad influence, by explaining, showing and guiding them through their friends…keep them close to you. Being a parent is about explaining right from wrong, about explaining the consequences of doing drugs and alcohol, not about getting grounded but the affects drugs and alcohol on the body, and the potential affects on their future.
Parenting is not easy, and sometimes your kids won’t listen, but setting rules, standard, and obligation while providing a fun environment is the job of a parent…I mean how many of us only wish for our kids to be lawyers, doctors, scientist or even President. We want our children to have what we didn’t and as a parent it takes sacrifices, but I promise that not only will you as parent be extremely and emotionally happy with your child’s success and believe me your child(ren) will thank you for their success. There is an old saying, “There is a time and place for everything”. There is a time for learning, and there is a time for playing...plain and simple. Knowing to balance those two times in your life or teaching your children to do so, will only make for a better person that will enter our society.
Now, wait…I got smack for that as well…I was told that I was raising wimpy kids that would only be bullied by those that have no rules, values or care about others. You know what I said…forget you…you see being a parent is not only teaching your kids about proper mannerism, but of course teaching your kids “Street Smarts” is also an important factor. Ok, yah some of us lived in castles, mansions, etc, but like many said technology today will allow you to research information on “Street Smarts”, look it up online…you’ll be amazed. You as a parent can almost put together a lesson plan sort of speaking and help make sure you kids aren’t bullied, but instead respected and admired…teach them to earn it and not be intimidated by others. Teach them to be kind to all, for everyone needs alliances and friends…even those bullies.
This topic can seriously touch a nerve and sometimes when I hear excuses from other parents on why it is ok, I look towards my kids and wonder if maybe I am to tough on them, but you know…I think about it and I know I am not. Because not only do they get guidance from me, I play with them, share board games, fight of monster in a pretend battle, have a tea party with my daughter, play dolls, g4row a garden and encourage them to continue doing some kind of school work while on vacation…provide incentives…heck we as adults like incentives, we get them as bonuses, baseball tickets, raises, etc. you simply see what your child likes, within reason and have them work towards it…you’ll be amazed at what children would do to get a new Lego set, or a trip to the movies or anything else.
I’m not saying I am an expert on parenting, by no means, I am learning each day, but I will not be a parent that falls on excuses that, “Everyone else is doing it”. I will continue to provide rules, structure, and guidance and most importantly love to my children until they ask me to stop. Parenting has never been easy and for those that think it is…they are lying. It takes constant checking, constant application of yourself, we can all do it, just take each day one at a time, each issues one at a time, but never forget to hug, kiss and love them…never.
My Perspective:
I think I summed it all up in my post or most of what I wanted to say at least, but we can all sit hear and tear apart this post or we can simply take from it what we want and move forward. Thanks for reading, till next time Latino Man signing off.
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