Now is the time we need to rethink our lives and the contribution our children will make to our future. Our priorities need some re-adjusting and we need to know decide between two family cars or quality time with our children!

I have always understood the importance of staying home with our children if at all possible. In fact I have always stayed home with my children in favor of an outside career at all costs.

Children are most influenced and learn the best examples when they are between the ages of 0-5 years. That is an undisputed fact among so called experts. But these 'experts' are also the ones that say it is OK to juggle career with parenthood. Who are these experts and where did they go to college? Percisely my point.

Are these experts parents themselves? Many are not. They appoint themselves the know all of parenting by spending 4-8 years at a notorious university at one place or another. Their views on child-rearing change with the political wind to the downfall of families across America.

The family unit is a sacred institution honored by God and should not be intruded on by the changing tides of current, social, wishy washy beliefs.

Not meaning to be politically incorrect but the downfall of the family unit (and hear me out before you curse) happened when all women decided to join the work force with their husbands.

50 years ago when one head of the house (man or woman) was the main wage earner, salaries paid more. Salaries were designed so that the head of house could provide somewhat decently for the family. When our society had to make way for double the work force and give equal pay, our wages were cut in half to adjust to the added load. This in turn made it now almost nessecary for both mother and father to work just to bring in the same income that 50 years ago one head of household brought in equivelently to todays 2 income homes.

Now that both mother and father have to work to provide, our children have been raised by daycare centers and other child care providers.

Also our society no longer insists that fathers hold their responsibility in parenting. Once again 50 years ago a man (or boy) that got a girl in trouble was EXPECTED to be responsible and make his girl his wife. Unfortunetly that was the consequence to playing. With every action is a consequence or reward. Although many households did not have parents that loved eachother from the start they grew to love eachother but still provided for the family they started. Boys and girls grew up watching a father off to work and a reliable mother they could count on.

In modern society and the past 30 years the feel good generation touted the need to satisfy their own selfish desires and desperately ignored the consequences for their actions. We know have a nation of fatherless children, or children raised in homes where parents aren't available because now both HAVE to work.

Now our children in record numbers do things we would have never fathomed even 20 years ago such as shooting school mates at school, questioning their sexual orientation (at young ages), and deciding whether to use a condom or rythm method of birth control and protection from Aids and sexual diseases.

They learn about sex from school teachers and sex experts, not from the parents at home in a respecful manner. Teacher's cannot teach self respect, respect of others, integrity, morals, and the value of life. Learning about sex in schools like Math or English is simply turning what was once a loving thing between a man and a woman into a skill like rollerskating or playing baseball; with more serious side effects of course.

Our teenagers should not be making these decisions or behaving with this unrestrained manners.

We also took discipline out of the parents hands and involved our Government in child rearing. Unless a child is in IMMENENT DANGER OF CHILD ABUSE the government does not belong in our homes. Most parents when left to their own resources will do a fine job on their own. I am not defending genuine child abuse, which is also determental to our youth and future.

Now that we are blantantly aware that our nation is not safe from evil radicals of the world we need to get back to the basic values of life that include loving and dedicating ourselves to our children and families.

It is time to say, "Do I really have to have that second car, or my nails done every other week? Can we really find a way to grocery shop more wisely to make our food stretch? Can we have more family nights at home doing arts and crafts or playing games than attending expensive movies."

We have to make some sacrifices for the sake of our children and our future. We have to get back to the basics of really caring about our children knowing what is like to feel your presence in their lives. That you care if they make a mistake like doing drugs at a party.

Since the early years are so important we need to make a lot of our sacrifices then. I believe a mother should be at home with her children till school age. Then by all means, if nessecary get an outside job, but during school hours so you can be at home when they get home from school. But don't pick a job that will wipe you out so that you don't have the energy to be with your kids.

Boys need to be taught at an early age to respect women and be accountable for how they are treated at the onset of adulthood. They need to see the example of a man in their life working and treating their wives or women with respect. But most of all teens need to take responsibility when a girl ends up pregnant. Children can no longer go fatherless. God has a role for men as example unto their children, it is an honor to be a man and a father. Boys need to learn that early on.

Play an active role in yours and other childrens lives. Volunteer at school and sporting events right from pre-school. Make the time. It is not only great for all children but it is self rewarding all on its own. Try it and you will see.

Let's get back to the basics in life that we have selfishly skipped out on. Having children and family can be just as rewarding as a multimillion dollar career, if not more. It is an honor, not a hinderance. But more it is an investment into our future.


Authors Note:
This is not meant to offend the many American single mothers that have been forced into the work force for lack of parental support. God meant for families to stay together and you have sadly been put in the position to do both jobs. My best to you.