Last night was a whole different ball game. I saw three parents choose to gain weight in order to keep their kids safe from elimination. I saw a son tell his dad "If I can ever be half the man you are, I am a success". I saw a father and mother fall on the sword to make sure their kids stayed at the ranch and further improve their health.
The job of a parent is to do whatever it takes (legally, morally, and ethically that is) to make sure their kids have a better life than we had. That means skipping the newest technology gizmo in order to pay for books or clothes or anything else that could better your child's life.
I was blessed to have a mom that did this exact thing for me growing up. She gave up things in order for me to have the necessities of life. and plenty of "extras" such as sporting equipment that was not cheap by any means. I am truly angered when I see a parent complaining about not being able to pay for a cap & gown for graduation, but they are able to go to the casino and gamble a couple hundred dollars away. Or smoke a pack a day and not think twice while their child is wearing clothes from last school year. I have been trying to quit chewing tobacco for a LONG time. UGH it's hard. The bottom line tho... IF I had to make a choice between sending my kids on a school trip/function/graduation trip and buying a can of chew? I would give it up in a heart beat!
Sadly, my dad didn't understand sacrifice for me. He was happy with his life and was OK with me visiting during the summer and showing up around my birthday and Christmas. that was about it. so Guys.... Here's my plea to you. If you have a child, for Gods sake! Quit being so damn selfish and get your kids what they need! Remember that YOU chose to bring a life into this planet. Remember that THEY come first in everything that you do.
OK, Off my soap box now. To the parents who understand selflessness, sacrifice, giving your kids better things than you had, teaching them value in what they have, My hat's off to you!
Tell me what you think. Should more parents take a lesson from The Biggest Loser?
For sure! That show brings tears to my eyes almost every week--especially when there are such acts of selfishness such as Tuesday nights episode. I'm with you on the parenting thing---when you choose to have children, you are choosing to put self last and your children first. I applaud you and all men who step up to the plate; it is comendable, even though women have been doing it for decades because it was unheard of for a woman to leave her children. Either way, the responsibility should be shared and the sacrafice equally shared as well. When one parent (or both for that matter) fail to put their wants/desires/habits, etc. aside for their children, they raise children to be just as selfish and the saga continues. But back to the Biggest Loser---for sure we can all learn from the lessons taught on this and other shows as well (I personally like Parenthood in additon to Biggest Loser). Life is too short and a child is only a child for a while---it behooves us all to enjoy the time we do have and love them as hard as possible. As the Bible says "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). Remember who will be choosing your rest home some day!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more. Justin, my husband and I are really struggling right now. Every night we pray, "Thank you Lord, for allowing our little family to be together everyday. For the food in our bellies and for last years clothes that we are still wearing because we can not afford new ones. Thank you for providing all these miracles." My husband and I have been struggling just like everyone else. No job... but we see it as an opportunity to just be together and watch our girls grow. Things are rough and tumble, somedays we cry, but mostly we are thankful that we can all be together. Thank you for your blog. People, hug your kids and love them! It doesn't take money to be a great parent, it takes being there!!!
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