This is revisited, realigned article written by Publisher, Emerald Greene-Parsons on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 titled “Respect for Parents and Adults – And the Lack of it.” Yes, I kept this inspiring article from almost thirteen years ago – why? Because what she wrote about then continues today. What affected me strongly was the reality depicted about the importance of manners and respect of children.
Like Emerald, I strongly agree that these two factors must be taught. And, since parents are children’s first teacher – manners and respect should be lessons/training from “home raising.” I firmly believe in the adage, “Charity (virtue) begins at home and is spread abroad.” As a child, I grew up when children latched on to good manners and respect like a pitbull dog locks onto a bone. Children were not allowed to forget/disrespect the Golden Rule and The Ten Commandments.
Emerald’s opening line from the forestated article was, “It totally amazes me the lack of manners being taught to our youth.” Having taught school for twenty-five years and after retirement, volunteering close to twenty years, I’, not amazed, it appalls, yet saddens me how disrespectful young people are today. I am more enraged at the parents who cannot see the harm and danger they are putting their children in, by neglecting to focus and teach the child(ren) one of “life lessons,” that will set the course of their adulthood.
I have wondered if parents who allow their children to speak to them in disrespectful ways feel it is ok, because they want to be their friends but what confuses me more-is-do these type of parents really love their children. It has always been my consensus if you truly love someone or something, you only want what is best for them – the best being, a feeling of appreciation, having self-esteem, feeling worthy, useful and productive.
When my siblings and I were growing up we knew our parents loved us – we had a roof over our head, food to eat, clothes on our back and all they expected from us was respect. We were never bribed or coerced to give it – it was demanded, sometimes forcefully. The Bible tells us how to rear Godly, respectable, productive children. Three Chapters in Proverbs are strong, wonderful guides to follow. Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he/she shall go: when he/she is old, he/she will not depart from; 22:15 – Foolishness is bound in the hear of a child: but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him/her; 29:17 – Correction – for purpose of reforming from error, thy son/daughter shall give thee rest and shall give delight unto thy soul.
Children are a gift from God, and He holds us accountable for how we raise them I offer this writing as a testament and can personally speak truth to each of the scriptures. We trained our children to first respect themselves, then others and especially to live by the Golden Role and The Commandments. We taught them respect doesn’t come with color or social and economic status – it only comes with a requirement of moral conduct.
Without sounding pious, I can honestly say God has blessed my family and me tremendously, of which I am grateful and equally proud to say – our fourth grandson Kellen Madison, son of Sam, Jr. and Sakia, is slated to graduate from St. Thomas Aquinas High School of Broward County on May 15, 2021. Precedent graduates are: Brooke Madison, Class of 2019 from Tri-Cities High School of Fulton County, Ga.; Xacarri Blyden, Class of 2018 from Jefferson Somerset High School, and Jaedaria Blyden, Class of 2017 from FAMU- Developmental Research School, Tallahassee – Leon County.
My message to parents – discipline, manners, and respect are values that can and will make life easier for ALL involved. Love your children enough to tech them life’s lesson of manners and respect, that will continue through their adulthood and will be carried into their children’s life and hopefully generations to come.
Happy Mother’s Day,
Mary Madison