Allow your children to be a blessing.

I found out that I was pregnant with my eldest right before 9/11 happened. In fact, I hadn't announced that I was pregnant yet to my co-workers. I can remember feeling this overwhelming amount of worry of what kind of world I was bringing my precious child into. I am an adult. I am not as impressionable. I know what is right but for a child to grow up in a world with so much hatred in it how on earth could that be a good thing?

I can remember when I finally did confide in a friend that I was pregnant and how it didn't feel right being so excited. I will always remember what she said to me. Through teary eyes she said Oh, Please don't feel that way, that baby you are carrying is a sign of hope, of new life, of change! How right she was! My baby would be brought up in love and taught to love others and be kind to others no matter what their situation.

We need to remember that if our answer to evil is to run from it it will only grow stronger. We must combat it with love! So many times I hear that people are keeping their children from the world because of the horrible things that are in the world. It is true. I agree, but are you going to keep your child in a bubble for the rest of their life? How will they know how to handle bad things when confronted with them if they are not taught life lessons along the way?

Take a plant for instance. If you bring it up from seed indoors and you only allow it a controlled temperature and a certain amount of sun and water it will grow it might even thrive but if you take that plant outdoors and you leave it to fend for itself it will surely die.

You must temper a plant. You must allow it to be exposed to the differing temperatures and water levels with a watchful eye allowing it to be protected from the extremes. Isn't that just like parenting?

My mother was born in the middle of the depression. She is a light of joy and a bright spot in this world. They may have not always had financial wealth, but they always had love. As you raise your precious children in this world remember that while this is not our forever home it is our home for now and we must bring light and love to all of those around us. Teach your children to do the same.

Don't even get me started about stranger danger...that is a different post all together.