"Children are like tape recorders, you never know when they will stop, hit rewind, and press play!"
The actions we display, the words we say, and how we face and handle challenges are being observed by our children. Therefore, it is very important that we display the right behaviors, say the right things, and fight through the challenges we face. Children will mimic and draw from the behaviors they saw when they were growing up and will display these behaviors when they are faced with challenges in their own lives. So we must give our children good examples if we want them to succeed in their lives.
My mother had me when she was very young. She had me when she was 17 years old. I seen my mother go through a nasty divorce, I seen her left with the responsibilty of raising two children, a mortgage, car note, food, and the responsibility of getting clothes for her children without the help of my father. I never forget the tears she shed; I'll never forget how she turned to her faith, and how she told my sister and me that we're going to make it no matter what! I seen how my mom worked hard to put clothes on my back, food on our table, and we didn't have a want in the world. Not only did my mother make it, she moved us into one of the best neighborhoods in south jersey, which exposed me to different cultures and new things. The things my mother showed me I drew from when I was faced with challenges in my own life. When things got tough in college I thought about my mother and the challenges she faced. Never once did I see her complain or give up and I said to myself how can I give up on a term paper or a difficult course. How can I quit a job when my mother didn't quit when things got tough! The situation I faced did not even compare. Because of these examples she showed me, I graduated College in three years and with honors, and I'm an executive director at 28 years old supervising people twice my age! Sometimes I think what would have happened if she had given up? What would have happened if she would have given my sister and me away? Would I have gone to college? Would I have fought through the challenges I faced in my life? Where would I be right now? These are the questions that should go through your mind when you are faced with challenges as a parent. What am I showing my child? How will the decision I make today affect the way my son or daughter will make decisions in the future? We must set the right examples because you never know when your child will stop, hit rewind, and press play!
Let's Get Our Youth Out of The Box!
Naeem Callaway
Founder/CEO
Get Out The Box inc.
DONATE:
www.firstgiving.com/naeemcallaway1 http://www.getoutthebox.org/ www.youtube.com/getoutthebox1 http://www.getoutthebox.ning.com/
Posted By: Naeem Callaway
Thursday, November 5th 2009 at 3:49PM
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