Parental Guidance Advised

I am not a parent (yet), but I am becoming more and more depressed and distasteful of the attitude of many parents today, including Christian parents as well. I am fully aware that procreation is the basic responsibility of mankind, but I realize that many parents are not fulfilling the other equally important responsibility that comes along with procreation, that is parenting. Parenting is a sacred yet daunting task that has been given to the parents by God. From the birth of the child, every action that you do and every word that you say will have an implication upon the upbringing of your child.

Parents often think that by fulfilling the physical needs of the children (and theirs, too), they are already fulfilling their responsibilities as parents. Therefore, they slog day (and night) in their workplace, striving to generate as much income as possible to ensure a better living condition for their children (and themselves). Even after fulfilling their children’s physical and educational needs (e.g. good food, comfortable house, tuitions and overseas tertiary education etc.), they are bewildered when their children rebel against them and would eventually feel resentful of their children's unappreciative attitude.

Yet, in order to generate more income for the family, the parents forsake quality time with the children. In spite of fulfilling their physical needs, the children’s emotional, mental and psychological needs are often left unattended. Inevitably, when the unguided children are exposed to the evil of the world, little wonder as to why they are easily led astray. When all hopes seem lost, many parents would turn to the magician, known also as ‘pastor’ by Christians, expecting (sometimes demanding) him to perform miracles of transformation upon the children.

If only parents would set boundaries to their working time and be willing to spend quality time with their children everyday. Yes, less income they might generate, less comfortable living environment they might be in, yet the sacrifice is certainly worthwhile. My dad once told me that he will not exchange anything for the hard times that he had to endure together with his parents. In spite of the hardship, the experience of the struggle together with the parents was priceless.

This happened many years ago, and the times may have changed. But I do strongly believe that if children of the present have to choose between enduring the absence of their parents in a comfortable living environment and enjoying the company of the parents in a less comfortable environment, they would choose the latter.

Parents, your presence in the lives of your children is irreplaceable by anything else in this world.