Parental Priority

Parental Priority

(Drawing the line between Parenting & Friendship)

It has often been said that we live what we learn. That is true to a certain degree. I also
believe that when we know & want better we can get improved results. Many have
grown up using their childhood as an excuse to justify ill behavior. The sad thing is that
they’re surrounded by individuals who condone it rather than correct it. How often have
we witnessed parents being argumentative with school officials rather than listening to
them speak about areas in which their child needs improvement? There are now
parents who will drink/smoke/party with their child like it’s the norm. This type of
behavior eliminates the boundary between being a parent vs a friend. There should
always be a level of respect maintained whereas the child knows what not to do/say in
their parent’s presence as well as other adults. We are failing in setting the example for
our young. The youth are criticized majorly nowadays for their actions, but my question
is who raised them? Weren’t they our responsibility? Did we drop the ball? Or were we
too consumed with living our own lives that we neglected to put their needs ahead of
our wants? Whatever the reasoning behind the madness, it needs to be corrected fast.
Our future generation is filled with so much anger/hurt/resentment and hostility. They
walk into schools with a negative mindset primarily due to issues that stem from home.
Many have no stability, no certainty of their next meal, etc.… It’s difficult to focus on
excelling in school or enjoying childhood when you’re forced to worry about adult
issues. Parents must understand that it is their primary responsibility to provide, protect, aid in the progression of their offspring. This requires a selfless mentality. One in which your goals/dreams may have to be put on hold so that your child can have theirs. Now don’t get me wrong. There are many cases in which a child grows up in the best environment with top notch everything yet they still fall victim to the street. This is solely due to their personal choices. Some feel the need to make a name for themselves and are misinformed into thinking the streets are the way to go. Never do they realize that there is no love in the streets. It leads to a jail cell or cemetery. In some cases, parents use presents to make up for lack of presence. The kids then grow up thinking their valuables are what make them valuable. Then a sense of entitlement kicks in where they expect everyone to do as their parental figures have done. We should be preparing our children for the real world which includes teaching them how to survive without us. Many adults still depend on their parents for everything which will lead to them being lost in the event of their demise. Now this is not to say that as parents, we are not to be there to support our children. However, there is a difference between giving a hand up vs a hand out. If not taught to stand on their own, find their own way & create their own path, they will always lean on someone else as a crutch. In closing, I’d like to leave these words of wisdom: You are not just raising your son/daughter. You are raising someone else’s husband/wife, mother/father. Be mindful of the lessons you impart!

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