Wake up call to parents

THE EDITOR: Please permit me space in your letters column to sound the trumpet to parents. My article is entitled “Parents of Teenagers”.

Do you know your role and your responsibility? First, I must let you know what type of people teenagers are. Look at the stages of a butterfly and the stages of a human. First the egg, caterpillar, pupa and finally the beautiful butterfly. The human is also egg, child teenager and adult. I can’t say “beautiful” like I said for the butterfly, because we have plenty to examine first. The pupa is neither a caterpillar nor a butterfly; it’s in a state of transformation where it seeks to be a butterfly. So too, our teenager is neither a child nor an adult. He or she seeks to be an adult. Unlike the pupa which stays in one place until it changes into a butterfly, the teenager goes around looking for role models. They become more of what they see than what they hear. So many youth programmes, training centres and education systems are in place to help but we see our youths worse than ever. You want to know why adults? The Bible says in Pro 22-6: “Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it”. That word “train” does not mean to get hold of a big stick and beat the child. Train and lead by your example in life. The way you carry yourself and the standard of life you live. If you do not fear God and, as a parent, live by God’s rule, you will regret it. Prov 19-23 tells us that if we fear God we shall have life and be satisfied and will not be visited by evil.

Teenagers need us now more than any other time in their lives. They look and watch what adults do and wait for their time to do it. Many youths are in bars, gambling houses, ghettos or drug dens. Some women dress half naked, advertising alcohol and cigarettes in their hands. How can you say to your child “don’t do so” when you are doing so? Teenagers role model the calypsonians, movie stars, rock and pop stars, many of whom are garbage to their minds. Come on adults, wake up and find your true identity to give to your children. Parents are working so hard, giving their children all that this material world has to offer. Material things cannot make your child. You parents have got to know God first before you can make your teenager into a beautiful adult who will bring no shame to you. The Bible says the rod of correction brings wisdom to a child but a child left to his own brings shame to parents. So watch out parents, if Jesus Christ is not your example of living, then you know why your teenager is in that condition. The Bible said except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. God promises you good children when you obey Him. It is sad to know that parents or schools can’t handle teenagers any more. You know why? You have failed them. Parents turn to God and he shall restore your children. Prov 15-29: The Lord is far from the wicked but He hears the prayers of the righteous. Parents turn to God and he’ll answer your prayers. Teenagers need your love, affection, and guidance more than you know.

DOODOO RAMPERSAD
Rio Claro