A mama camel and her baby
We humans are a strange lot. We take so much for granted as we try to change things, to make them easier and allowing us more time for ourselves and often less for the things that are really important. Nothing is more critical than to take the time to provide good parenting for those we have brought into this world, yet so many of us pawn those precious gifts of God off on long-term childcare services as we go about our merry way. In some cases it's even worse, with parents giving up on responsibility while allowing children to decide things for themselves even though they are emotionally unprepared for the results. And then, of course, there are the schools where so many parents don't attend parent meetings, don't track what their children are learning and allow teachers to develop their views which are often at odds with the parent. Such lack of involvement in critical learning times can lead to many unintended consequences. Among them are bad habits which can lead to huge problems later such as use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal substances. Inattention can also lead to failure to do school work, hanging with the wrong crowd and, of course, unwanted pregnancy.
When I think of such issues which impact so many families, I also compare and contrast those things to the animal world. Now I know most are familiar with family pets such as dogs and cats and it is truly amazing to watch a new mother of that variety feed, care for and teach the puppy or kitten until she knows it's time for them to start fending in life on their own. But if you ever have the opportunity to witness an animal in the wild or even one that you are unfamiliar with in a zoo, like the mother camel and her offspring shown above and how she cares for the little one while she rests. I, for one, have had the opportunity in the past to be up close with a camel and they are not very pretty and when they spit at you and hiss, believe me when I say you don't want to be in the line of fire. But when I see that large mother caring for that little one, it certainly puts things in a much different perspective.
Animals live in a cold and violent world of reality where things change rapidly and the young are often the target of a predator. The parental job then is to as quickly as possible raise the animal to start learning the rules of survival and when that point is reached where they have a reasonable chance of survival, the youngster goes out on his or her own. It's the way things are in the cycle of life in the animal world; they learn to survive or they die.
Compare that with humans, while acknowledging that some parents do an excellent job in one that has no guarantee of results, and we'll find that many parents either just ignore the parenting job or try to make up with it by buying the child's love. We all know the spoiled kid who is given a fancy and shiny new car that is wrecked in a week. But we also know the kid that never was given anything and yet toils diligently to become a top honor student. We just can never fully come up with the formula since most need good guidance but some are fully motivated to reach their goals on their own. But we do know this, the young person who reaches maturity will soon be in a position where he or she has to survive in the world. Sometimes it can even be a life or death matter, but more often it's the difference between living with reasonable comfort or living without. And while some might end up as twenty-somethings in their parent's basement, they may be alive but they will become worthless if it doesn't change.
Now I know there are many who became parents without caring enough to make a commitment which God desires and that is another issue in itself. But in referring to parenting as it unfolds naturally in the sacrament of holy matrimony, parenting isn't a sport nor is it a game, it's hard work that takes those who enjoyed the gift that God gave to two people joined as one when they face up to the responsibility that comes with the outcome: the requirement to be a good and loving parent. Next time you see an animal with his or her mate. Think about what they can teach us about raising children. A little common sense as taught naturally is always a blessing.
When I think of such issues which impact so many families, I also compare and contrast those things to the animal world. Now I know most are familiar with family pets such as dogs and cats and it is truly amazing to watch a new mother of that variety feed, care for and teach the puppy or kitten until she knows it's time for them to start fending in life on their own. But if you ever have the opportunity to witness an animal in the wild or even one that you are unfamiliar with in a zoo, like the mother camel and her offspring shown above and how she cares for the little one while she rests. I, for one, have had the opportunity in the past to be up close with a camel and they are not very pretty and when they spit at you and hiss, believe me when I say you don't want to be in the line of fire. But when I see that large mother caring for that little one, it certainly puts things in a much different perspective.
Animals live in a cold and violent world of reality where things change rapidly and the young are often the target of a predator. The parental job then is to as quickly as possible raise the animal to start learning the rules of survival and when that point is reached where they have a reasonable chance of survival, the youngster goes out on his or her own. It's the way things are in the cycle of life in the animal world; they learn to survive or they die.
Compare that with humans, while acknowledging that some parents do an excellent job in one that has no guarantee of results, and we'll find that many parents either just ignore the parenting job or try to make up with it by buying the child's love. We all know the spoiled kid who is given a fancy and shiny new car that is wrecked in a week. But we also know the kid that never was given anything and yet toils diligently to become a top honor student. We just can never fully come up with the formula since most need good guidance but some are fully motivated to reach their goals on their own. But we do know this, the young person who reaches maturity will soon be in a position where he or she has to survive in the world. Sometimes it can even be a life or death matter, but more often it's the difference between living with reasonable comfort or living without. And while some might end up as twenty-somethings in their parent's basement, they may be alive but they will become worthless if it doesn't change.
Now I know there are many who became parents without caring enough to make a commitment which God desires and that is another issue in itself. But in referring to parenting as it unfolds naturally in the sacrament of holy matrimony, parenting isn't a sport nor is it a game, it's hard work that takes those who enjoyed the gift that God gave to two people joined as one when they face up to the responsibility that comes with the outcome: the requirement to be a good and loving parent. Next time you see an animal with his or her mate. Think about what they can teach us about raising children. A little common sense as taught naturally is always a blessing.
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