Can't We All Just Get Along?

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

(Dorothy Law Nolte)

The above quote is so true. Children do, indeed, learn what they live. They live by example. This blog is about child safety. If adults fail to set a proper example for children, what proper examples do children have to emulate? The absence of positive role models affects the safety, security, stability, and the happiness of children. It affects the ability to raise children into good, compassionate, happy adults.

In school young children are always evaluated on their ability to “play well with others.” If children see their parents consistently squabbling with one another or squabbling with other parents and neighbors, that is setting a negative example.

When children are being witness to the current political climate in Congress which is filled with squabbling, partisanship, and lack of cooperation, will that not send a message that lack of cooperation is acceptable?

Parents not only need to set good examples for children, but Congress does as well. Our country is at risk of defaulting on their debts in four days if the Congress does not compromise and solve the situation.  The right wing faction of Congress, in particular some of the freshmen Congressman who were elected by members of the Tea Party, are willing to let our country default on its debts for their own political expediency.

America is literally being held hostage by the Tea Party-supported members of Congress who are willing to sacrifice the well-being of their constituents just to satisfy the Tea Party demands. The inability of the United States government to pay its bills affects whether or not senior citizens will get their social security checks, whether or not veterans will receive benefits, and it affects health care and the education of our children.

It’s reality check time! How can we expect children to play well with others when adults won’t?