In a nutshell, it's about 5 little monkeys jumping on the
bed, falling down and hurting themselves. What gets to me is that all Mummy
does about it is to wait for each little monkey to fall and hurt themselves
then she is quick to use her airtime to call the doctor, spend whatever she has
to spend to pay the doctor for his efforts and go limb till another monkey
hurts itself. Please don't even get me started on the loud silence about "Daddy"
(except he is dead).
Unfortunately, it's not only the Mummy (and absent Daddy)
of the Five Little Monkeys that is defaulting in her role as a parent. I
understand the need to make "ends meet". However, I don't believe we
should sacrifice our children's safety and well-being on the altar of material
and financial prosperity, though.
Someone noted that sometimes, parents prefer to chat and
ping than to spend time with their kids. Some of us have out-sourced our
parenting roles to the TV! I'll like to talk a bit about hiring helps as this
is a trending topic.
- First, you need to confirm if this is the best option
for your family. If you can find any other workable arrangement, please explore
those options instead.
- If you have to hire a help, then please exercise due
dilligence in verifying and getting credible guarantors for such helps. Please
don't compromise quality on the altar of price. Be VERY sensitive to the
leading of the Holy Spirit in this crucial assignment. If either you or your
spouse doesn't feel comfortable in your spirits, hold on. Fast and pray, make
sure you are both in agreement before you proceed. If you're a single parent,
still fast and pray. Involve a trusted family member or friend in the process.
- Please try to maintain a good rapport with your
neighbours, as much as is humanly possible. They may very well be your last
line of defence in the evil day. Don't be like the people of Laish that had no
one to help them in the day of trouble. Be kind to those not in your 'class' -
your driver, your gateman, the lady who owns a shop in your neighbourhood, the
stay-at-home mum, artisans etc. Many times, these people are around to keep
watch when you are not around and may be the ones to help you in the evil day.
I know that "safety is of the Lord" still God can use anyone and
anything to help you in the day of trouble.
- Be kind in your dealing with your househelp. Remember
that you are leaving your child(ren) in their care for a sizeable period of the
day. Treat them as human beings who deserve care. Do something nice for them
once in a while that is outside their pay package. Extend the love of Christ to
them. You could very well be the only true believer they'll ever know. While
this does not guarantee that they'll be good helps; you'll be able to stand
before God with a clear conscience as it pertains to their matter.
- If you keep valuables at home, please get a safe or
something really secure to keep them. You should also keep your valuable
documents in a safe place.
- Realise that there's a reason why they are called
"HELPS". They are not there to take over your parental duty but to
HELP. Be careful about what roles you assign to them and be careful not to
become TOTALLY dependent on them. I know "me-time" and "bonding
time" with your partner are essential but please maintain a balance.
- Teach your kids to respect your helps. I heard of a 4
year old boy who told his uncle's help to wash his (the 4 year old boy) plate
because it is the job she is being paid to do. I heard of another boy that
slapped the househelp and his parents did NOTHING about it. If you're raising
your kids this way, YOU are destroying their future.
I have a special appeal to men. Please get involved in
the upbringing of your children. Thankfully, your surname is their surname.
Your role does not end in providing the sperm(s) to fertilize the egg(s) that
produced the child(ren). Please don't leave it all to your wife/baby's mother.
Many of us agree that we are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.
This is what God said about Abraham - " Seeing that Abraham shall surely
become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be
blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household
after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment;
that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."
(Genesis 18: 18-19). Please play your part in bringing up your kids, THANKS.
I pray for the Orekoya family. I pray that light will
shine at the end of the tunnel. I pray for the family that lost their
valuables, may God take them to greater and higher heights. I also pray that
the perpetuators of this evil will be brought to book and that the boys will
come back home unharmed, in Jesus' Name.
No comments:
Post a Comment