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Children should be seen and not heard!

Do you remember those days? They were ignorant times for sure. They were days when it was thought that children would be able contribute something of value to society when they grew up. Meanwhile, they were to stay quiet, out of the way of the adults and amuse themselves, of course keeping out of trouble.

One of the key truths I taught in Mexico at the seminars for parents was that children are not a part of the church of tomorrow, but they are a part of the church TODAY. The same can be said of society. Children have something valuable to contribute to society TODAY.

Children are valuable citizens today – not just tomorrow!

Children do not have to wait until they grow up to become valuable. Hopefully we have left behind the days when children were to be seen and not heard, and we now understand that children are valuable human beings and an essential part of society.

They have much to contribute to their families as well as to society today.

Children Bring Happiness

Being with children is good for ALL adults. They are usually carefree, love to play and laugh. It is very good for any adult to spend time laughing and playing with children to help alleviate the stress of the day.

Laughter is like medicine, Proverbs 17:22 tells us.

A grandmother comments her experience on the blog, Mindset For Living. After the stress of facing a difficult divorce, she picks up her grandson to laugh and play with him See the third comment on the article “Weightloss, Health and Mindset”. This greatly helped her forget the stress of the day.

Children Have Rights.

Children also have rights, the right to be heard and to make their own choices (where appropriate of course). Now, I am not talking about going to the extreme that some have advocated (letting children chose to divorce their parents for example.)

Of course they are not yet fully developed, and some choices are reserved for them when they reach adulthood. However, as some parents have understood, children are actually “little people”.

The parents who understand this treat their children as such. You can feel the atmosphere of love and security when you walk into the homes of these families.

Children Have Something Valuable to Say

Out of the mouths of babes, great wisdom often comes. Is that not true. Children are usually direct, they speak what they see with no holding back.

They also state the obvious, something which for some reason we adults often overlook. We try to complicate things, children keep it simple.

Children Are to Be Respected!

As valuable human beings, children should be addressed with the same respect that you would (hopefully) address an adult.

One of my pet peeves is hearing a parent talking down to their children, or worse still using language that causes damage to their morale and self esteem. You can hear that a lot (unfortunately) in public places such as restaurants, supermarkets and stores.

I am sure you also have heard such conversations (well monologues really) that include negative words spoken in frustration or anger such as: stupid (horror of horrors), can’t you ever, how many times, etc.

Look for another article very soon when I will expound on some of these monologues and the long term effect that they have on your children.

Meanwhile, lets affirm our children with positive words, positive attitudes, love and respect.

May All Your Relationships be Successful!