5 Children Rights - An Incomplete List
This is the Year of Human Rights. In recognition of that fact, here are some Children's Rights (No, the list doesn't include the right to your own plasma screen TV.)
1. The right to be treated as a person. This means don't treat a child like a pet, a possession, a fashion accessory or
a nonentity. A child is a young adult with all the rights to which an adult is
entitled. Being little or young doesn't equal any of the above. Grant the rights
and the child will grow into them; deny the rights and the child will fail as a
person - and grow up despising you.
2.
The right to be heard. ‘Children should
be seen but not heard' is a false statement. It was composed by someone who
regarded children as inconveniences not the creators of the next civilization. If
a child cannot talk to you, he or she
will find someone else to talk to and you might not approve of his or her
choice. Shut up, listen occasionally, and be surprised at what you learn from
your son or daughter.
3. The right to his or her own possessions. Yes, you bought it but you gave it to your daughter, so now it's hers to do
with as she chooses. If she wants to throw that new dress on the floor, let her
do that. It belongs to her. How would you like it if the electrical retail
store sent police to your house to oversee what you're watching on your new TV?
You can advise and demonstrate how to preserve and protect articles and
clothing, but beyond that, you're denying the child's right to own something.
Some children have many things but never own anything because mother or father
refused to turn over custody of anything they ever gave. Yes, this includes the
bedroom.
4. The right to be set a good example. This
is a right not an accidental benefit of having a parent. A child needs
examples, good ones, so he can groom his personal and social behavior into
successful patterns. Children are like mirrors because they reflect what
appears before them. And this shouldn't be a passive duty where you merely don't
do things when the child is around; show by example what is correct behavior or
conduct. Your own life will be better when you accept this responsibility and
accord this right - and it stops you looking like a hypocrite later on
The right to be loved. Hugs, kisses, embraces, words, and acts that show the
child that he or she is really loved make for healthy and happy children, but
more to the point these are rights. You brought the child into your life, into
your home, to share your existence - now don't make her feel as if she's one
big mistake you made. Maybe you can't afford toys, big house, a pool, or a cell
phone but those things don't actually help anyone to grow. Love, well and
frequently, demonstrated does. And enjoy it when the affection is reciprocated
- it will be, because children have lots of it to give in return.
Lance is not very good at writing about himself in the third person. He is an expatriate Australian living in Taiwan running a business consulting company. His grasp of the Chinese language ranges from poor to laughable and in most circumstances his actual use of the Chinese language results in laughter.
Captive Brains You've Got One - Don't Let them Get it
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