You may call this a recurring theme, but I sure do get frustrated at parents. The scripture teaches parents to bring their children up in the Lord’s admonition and teaching (Ephesians 6). One thing that it takes to do this is involvement!
My son Joshua is in his first year of teaching at Castleberry High School. Castleberry is in an independent school district, and there are a lot of advantages to having your children in a relatively small school district. However, at Castleberry there has been a real change in demographics in the past decade or so, that has led to a real problem with the lack of parental involvement.
As Josh has said, it is hard to get the students motivated to learn when the parents themselves do not care. They do not demand discipline in their children, they do not require the kids to do their homework, they often run interference for the kid’s bad behavior, and they do not demand competent instruction for their children.
The same apathy can be seen in extracurricular activities as well. In my example, while the Castleberry band has developed a strong booster club, other school organizations have not fared as well.
For example, the athletic booster club for the last several years at Castleberry has only had a handful of parents volunteering. Great efforts have been expended in recruitment of members, to no avail. I witnessed one mother get absolutely hostile when the booster club president made yet another appeal for help.
The apathy can also be seen in the stands. As a sports’ photographer, with a son as a coach, I go to a lot of games. I am constantly dismayed at the empty stands. Not only are there few fans, but often the parents of the players themselves do not come. The kids are so appreciative when you cheer for them, win or lose, and tell them they did good at the end of a hard fought contest. They appreciate it, even if they don’t know who you are. Just think about how good it would be if those words came from someone they love.
I’m not talking about parents who have to work, or who miss an occasional away game. I am talking about parents who do not have an interest in their kids. They ignore them at home, and they ignore them while they are at school. They are too wrapped up in their own lives to give their children correction and instruction. And, support and love.
Parents, understand that this is a God given duty. Children are precious (even when they have reached that infuriating adolescent stage). You need to love and nurture your kids, and you can’t do that unless you pay attention and make an effort.
Believe me when I tell you that I am not a big fan of freshman volleyball. When my daughters moved on, I thought I would never watch a freshman game again. But my son is the coach, and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed those freshman games this year. They went 24-5, and the girls loved how he coached them. He may be 23 years old now, and a man. But, he’s still my kid, and there is nothing I love more than to watch and support him in his efforts.
They grow up too fast, parents. My baby is 16 years old. He is about as tall as I am, and growing like a weed. Your kids will not be kids forever. Love and nurture them while you still can.
Posted under Children, Digest Subjects, Parenting, Stan's Rants
This post was written by Stan on November 16, 2008
Amen! As a Booster Club board member at my local high school, I appreciate you comments!
I enjoyed your writing on parent apathy. As a father I have always tried to put my childrens interest’s above mine. I believe that if we put our children’s interest’s above ours we would have a better society.
Donald,
Thanks for the kind comments. You have it right, as parents our first concern should be our children. That is what parental love is.
Of course, we are not talking about catering to their every whim. A part of actively “parenting” is disciplining our children. It too is a demonstration of our love for them.
Thanks again for your kind comments.