A Message to Parents

Its 10 p.m., do you know where your kids are? Seriously, do you? I remember that "commerical" that would play every night. Of course, they do not ask parents this question anymore as times have seriously changed. As a prevention specialist, I have to attend many hours of trainings for my job. Last week I sat through 15 hours of lecture discussing culture, substance abuse, brain development and and the  importance of parents being involved in their childs lives. Though it was a refresher, it got me reflecting on how I was raised and how I ended up having a good life versus those who didn't. 

One of the ice breaker questions that was asked was: "did your parents play with you as a child?" I immediately  thought back to all of the bike rides we did as a family, dad playing basketball and all types of games with me and my mom being my Girl Scout leader and teaching me how to paint ceramics (I won 1st place two years in a row at the County fair). I remember my dad reading books to me as a kid and how my mom and I would go on adventures such as going to yard sales and of course going on a week long bike and backpacking trip in the Cascade Mountains and sailing around the San Juan islands for a week. I am thankful for how hard my parents worked to give us a good life and how they tried to interact with us as children. 

I feel sorry for those kids who do not get to experience a great home life. I see many kids every day that lack proper supervision, love and care they deserve. Thus, they act out in class, get in trouble and get on the wrong path. When I facilitated a restorative justice group to inmates in Oregon, every inmate that shared their story all had something in common...they lacked a parent and a role model in their life. They went on the wrong path as an adolescent and wound up in prison. 

A parents responsibility is to provide their children with love and care and raise their kids to be the best they can. I hope that those who are parents are taking time to read to your kids and to play with them. Did you know that children who run their fingers through sand helps their brains develop smarter? So if your child wants to play in the sand box, let them! If your child wants to dress up silly and put on a play for you, let them! If you are not spending quality time and letting your child know you love them, then you need to get your priorities straight and put your family first. Do not let your child wind up on the wrong path. Give your child a good foundation and watch your child grow into great adults that could one day change the world.