I know a young man who should be feeling good about his chances in life, but instead he has been skirting the line between jail and hell. This young man that I speak of has just turned seventeen years old and four months. He is projected to graduate high school at the age of twenty one. Sadly, they want let him stay the long. He has made his friends his priority and his family has been relegated to bystanders. His life has been embroiled in strife for as long as anyone in his family can give a clear answer. YOU might know this young man.
Similarly, this past weekend there were a teenager about the same age shot dead and his partner in crime was critically wounded with a bullet to the back. These young lads were attempting to rob a man in his own driveway, but had the joke turned on them. They might have been under the impression that they were the only persons in America with a gun. Nevertheless, there are some good examples to pull from too. I always refer to President Bush’s mother and father when I want to borrow a core family value piece. This example has nothing to do what my political belief but instead on what stock we place on family expectations. Their premise in life for their children is for the children to receive a college education, earn your millions first, and then pursue political aspirations. They know for a fact that when a child of theirs hit pay dirt, they are putting in work of high quality for the first eighteen years .
On the front end, we have to immediately become better stewards of being great parents; we can no longer settle for the good parent label anymore. On the back end, we have to snatch these lost children up by the shirt collars and put them back in the game of life. Being good means you are coming up short on something meaningful to you and to someone you love. Being great means you are hitting your mark and you are on your way to something larger than you. We have to raise the bar on expectation (s) and vigorously pursue what the heck we set out for in life. The days of aiming low with the intent of hitting something high has to be a forgone conclusion. Since we can not reattach the umbilical cord, how about just simply reach one, teach one. Our young adults can use what you are offering.
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3 comments:
I so agree... even though I work in a high school cafeteria, I see how teachers and other faculty treat and view the children that are "problems". They would be happy to just send them away and lock them up, instead of getting to know them. Given my job situation at the moment, which isn't pleasant, I try to remember that my job is to cook, serve food, and clean up... but I get joy out of talking with the kids. Some of them are surprised I know their name, and they know to come to me if they need something. I've been on the serving line the past three weeks (hate it!), I'm usually on the register... I have the kids that usually come through me on the register ask me why I'm not out there... and they will actually wait in my line for me to serve them, just to be able to speak- even when the other line is empty. It makes me feel good when they say I'm their favorite cafeteria lady, as crazy as that may sound!
We need to take more interest in our kids.
This last Friday, Halloween, we had a senior (football player) die in a car accident. I'm not sure if alcohol was actually involved or not, but it very well could have. Kids have told me the things they do on the weekends, most doesn't surprise me, but I try to talk to them on their level while expressing concern and letting them know they don't have to do that. I had one child tell me he liked this girl, so he would drink to loosen up around her. I asked him if she needed to drink for him to like her. He, of course, said no, which I replied... she should like you without chemical substances.
I know I'm just a lunch lady, but I love my kids.
I totally agree with you. I am not bragging on my self, but I know a teenager who was a product of a drug addict mother. She was very angry with the world and usually took her anger out on others. She never really wanted to accept responsibility for her actions. When I came into her life she continued to stay angry and waddled in her mess. I continued to engage her put my loving arms around her and tried to inspire to make better choices. I also encouraged her to get involve in activities she thought she was interested in. What I am saying is this teenager to could have continued to make bad choices, stay anger and loss her sight. But today with the help of me and others providing a positive outlook on her situation she is a freshman in college. All the children need is a positive role model and tough love!!!
There are so many factors to consider when trying to affect change in the life of a teenager who already has problems. He was probably involved with the court system, has suffered severe family hurts, and now has engaged in an activity that could have cost him his life. In my professions, I have worked with teens and it is so sad that some of them really want an education, a family, a life not filled with shame and when the thought of not ever having it consumes their mind they are left to self-destruct. Unfortunately, they sometimes take the innocent with them.
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