Many of you have heard of the saying attibuted to the African people, "It takes a village to raise a child." This "proverb" is heard from the Pulpit to the Halfway House, from Main Street to the White House. While this saying may be true, is it necessary that the village raises each person's children? There can be an argument for both (and for the record, I agree with the saying and its necessity) but for the sake of thought, I ask: "Who is in this village and do I really want you to aid it the raising of my son?"
In today's world, there are a lot of people in our "villages" that are just not who we want to pour their "knowledge" into our children. Let's leave out the drug dealer and the street walker (those are understood not good village people) but what about those whose way of parenting we don't think is morally kosher? And what about the people whose hearts are just not pure? Is this the village person we want to correct our child? What are they correcting? Is it a legitimate correction or is it their own propaganda that they are spreading and trying to infiltrate that into the minds of our children?
I know this may not make sense to some and you may ask yourself or to the person next to you, "Where is she going with this?" But I was thinking about this concept the other day as I was having a "discussion" with someone regarding my son and their way of correcting/chastising him. I didn't agree with what he was trying to instill in my child and it was in opposition of what I wanted him to learn and know. I have many in my village and I want the village to aid me in raising an AWESOME man, but what do I do when the village's child development views and philosophies does not match mine?
*Aurellia*
About Me
- Aurellia
- Aurellia Anderson is a passionate woman about God. She enjoys inspiring and encouraging others to live their life on purpose (even when her own life needs a pick-me-up). She is a hospital Chaplain, licensed minister with the Evangelical Covenant Church, and the President of her own company, Hidden Gem (www.HiddenGemCo.com). A mother, entrepreneur, ChurchChick(TM) , and just your average ray of sunshine-Welcome to the Personal Blog of Aurellia Anderson.
I agree that it does take a village to raise a child. Children are sponges. The things they witness and experience shape the adults they become. Who among us is not still affected by our upbringing? Parents are the people who are supposed to show us, by example, how to function and thrive in the world. The village will undoubtedly be comprised of individuals with views and lifestyles that oppose those we find most desirable. In my opinion, the role of a parent is to guide a child in the right direction. Part of that responsibility is to provide an age appropriate and honest line of communication about the tough things thins they will inevitably experience or witness. I do not yet have children of my own. I do have two nieces and several amazing children in my life. I am very aware of my role as a villager. For me, that entails letting them know how incredible I think they are and trying my very best to model appropriate, kind, loving and tolerant behavior towards all of the people I interact with. Especially with those individuals with whom I disagree. After all, no one ever built character loving only those who loved them, being honest only when it served their own best interests or giving with only the expectation of receiving. It's been awhile since I've seen you but I'm sure that you are a wonderful example to your son of how to be a good person. You may not have control of the entire village, but you are the most important villager to your little man. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Darla. Thanks hon. I try my best to be a good person in his village knowing that there will be those he is around who may not agree with my way of rearing him. I am trying to find the middle ground while he is still young so I can have a firm handle on what I believe is best for him. Love you hon!
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