THE SUBJECT THAT IS TABOO!

What if we were to openly discussed suicide with our children? What if we discussed it with our neighbors and our peers? What if we recognized we have a real problem with youth suicide? What if. . .? Let’s go one more with the specifics. What if we discussed suicide as openly with our kids as we do, well, let’s say sexual responsibility?

And the general response, I haven’t ever talked to my children about sexual responsibility either. So, the point is well taken. The problem is parents do not talk to their children about the really critical issues in life. Oh a child might be told, Be careful! Don’t get into trouble! I know how it is with parents. I was a kid a while back. I remember. But, as I have mentioned, parents today do not want training and do not necessarily know what to say to their children. And, to compound the problem, too little, if anything, is said before the child gets into trouble. Let’s don’t say or do anything about it yet! It won’t ever happen to us! I don’t think my children are ready for that yet!

It doesn’t matter what the excuse is. It is the primary responsibility of the parent to teach the child. It is not the government’s job, it is not the school’s job, it not the church’s job, although each entity can play a helping role. Let’s say it again: It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to do the job of teaching their own children about such critical issues. Let’s get real. Do you really want to leave such critical issues up to someone else?

Or, as with sexual responsibility: When I was growing up I believe we were expected to get all this off the street. Parents didn't talk about it. The schools didn’t talk about it. The churches didn’t talk about it. Where then is a child going to learn. Our youth hunger for the same things most of us want. They want to be loved. They want someone to listen. They want guidance. But, too often they just keep on receiving things, which must somehow substitute for genuine relationships.

You might say: You are carrying this thing too far. I am not! Education has long been said to be the key to our drug problem—especially education that begins at a very early age, before there is a possibility of using drugs.

So, let’s get really serious. What if we began very early giving our kids positive affirmations about our love for them, about their own personal value, and about their value in the family and to you personally? Yeah, that’s what we need today! We need lots of that. No, our children need it. Why isn’t it forthcoming? Is it that our needs as parents are so great we have no room left to fulfill the needs of our children? I have seen that to be the case too, too often.

So, begin today! It may be too late to work but it is never too late to try. Affirm you love for your children. Express to them how much their lives are worth to you personally, and to the family. Show them proof of love. Don’t just go buy them something! Hug them! Hug them! Love them! Love them! Tell them! Tell them! I love you! I love you! I want you alive! I want you alive! That might just be enough.

I love you for loving your children. h