MAKE CHILDREN A PRIORITY

Dramatic changes have taken place over the last three decades that have altered the experience of growing up in America. Today's children are more likely to be poor, drug-dependent, pregnant, murdered, or incarcerated than children living in any other industrialized country.

The time is right for a renewed focus on children. Parents must become aware of the compelling needs of today's children and be faithful to the call of scripture to be an advocate for the vulnerable. "You should defend those who cannot help themselves. Yes, speak up for the poor and the needy, and see that they get justice" (Prov. 31:8-9, LB).

What you can do to help:

Communicate with children. Let your children and those around you know that they are important. When they speak, give them your full attention. As you listen, you are communicating to them that they are persons of worth. Physically get on their level to speak with them and maintain eye contact.

Welcome children. Children feel appreciated when you acknowledge their presence. Greet children, as well as adults, when you see them. Make sure greeters in your church welcome the children as warmly as the adults.

Celebrate success. Children feel valued when their successes are noted. Whether it is a victory in Little League, a dance trophy, or a good score on a test, parents will do well to celebrate the success of children. Special rewards, a special meal, or simply the earnest praise of a parent builds self-confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of self-worth.

Engage in acts of kindness. Performing charitable deeds toward children in your neighborhood, school, church, or community are certainly in order. Surprise your children and their friends with fresh-baked cookies on a cold afternoon. Invite a child of a single parent to be your family's guest at an amusement park, sporting event, or a special program. Do something special and unexpected for children you know.

Work for justice. Be an informed voter on children's issues. Write letters to legislators about issues affecting children. Write letters to the editor of the newspaper regarding the needs of the schools.

Volunteer. Ask your school what kind of help it needs, then provide it. (E.g. helping in the library, the computer lab, or being a playground monitor.)

Start something. Look at the needs of your community and see how you can make a difference. Does your community need a homework hotline, a latchkey program, or a child advocacy group? Can you bring a guest speaker into your area to speak to adult groups regarding the needs of children?

Get your church involved. Churches should be the moral engine of a community. Offer special bulletins just for children, and encourage church leaders to incorporate children in worship. Have children be greeters, singers, Scripture readers, and ushers. Children feel valued as they are invited to use their abilities and talents in church.

Dr. Jeffery W. Scott leads workshops and seminars on dealing with children's issues. He has written articles on family issues for The Christian Century, The Journal of Family Ministry and many other publications. He is a trustee for the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol Problems and a minister at University Baptist Church in Carbondale, Ill. He holds degrees from Baylor University, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Georgetown University, and is the father of two children.

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