Who is “Parenting” Our Children??

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Three or more States are working with Planned Parenthood to form a partnership with their high schools, including about 57 high schools. The states involved are California, Illinois, and Maryland. This trend could spread if they are allowed in!

Planned Parenthood is the controversial organization that has allegedly been selling body parts of unborn babies, and even altering abortion procedures to make these parts more viable and intact. While the barbaric procedures are still being investigated, this valueless organization now wants to enter our education system and influence the lives of our children. They are working to partner with high schools to offer confidential services to students. They will be available 2-3 days per week to discuss topics such as: Abortion, birth control (including the morning-after pill), body image, men’s and women’s sexual health, pregnancy, relationships, sex and sexuality, sexual orientation and gender, and STDS.

This will all be on a confidential level with your child. They will be allowed to provide on-site direct resources to high school students, and guarantee confidentiality and anonymity.  

Why do they want to do this? Who initiated it? Did parents and schools ask for this or is PP pushing an agenda? Before schools allow PP to enter their doors, they and parents need to be asking many questions, such as: 

Will students be more likely to go to them for advice than their parents?
Will this access to students undermine the influence of parents on their teens and the values they teach? 
Will their presence and services encourage teens to become more sexually active? Will their “values” on sexuality cause more social problems for teens?
What is their agenda in this? 
What need exists that could not be better met by parents, and perhaps teachers and evangelical leaders?
Does their presence have the potential to make parents question their influence in their children’s lives?

It seems that whatever they have to offer, the bad outweighs the good–if Planned Parenthood can succeed in over-sexualizing our children,  and encourage them to be sexually active, they can benefit financially from this…they can “own” their future!

There are things parents can and need to do to protect the consciences of their children:

1) Keep informed about what your state, school district, and school is doing with “health” and sex education. There are more and more comprehensive sexuality education agendas being pushed into the education system…even the so-called sex abuse education is highly questionable and intrusive into our young children’s consciences.  Parents need to know the basis of these agendas, who is pushing for them, and what curriculum is being presented for review. 

2) Let states, school districts, and schools hear from you–ask questions,  and let them know your thoughts, concerns and expectations on the matter. 

3) Demand transparency and input on decisions, and also on curriculum that is being reviewed before it is approved.

With your teens:

1) Trust your parental intuition and have confidence that you are the best source of information for your child to learn these things from. Have courage to teach and uphold your family’s values. Help your child understand the benefits and consequences associated with these values.

2) If you have questions on how and when to best teach your children certain topics, refer to trusted resources that have your child’s best interests in mind and that support your family’s values. 

3) Keep the lines of communication open. Make a safe environment for them to come to you with questions. Find ways to initiate discussions.

4) Talk on a regular basis with your teens about their dreams, ambitions, struggles, and praise them often for the positive things they are doing. Monitor and discuss internet use, after school activities, activities with friends, and free time. 

5) Spend time with them– eat meals together as often as possible. Attend events they are involved in. Take them on one-on-one activities periodically. 

Parents are and have always been the best source to teach, train, and prepare children for their life as contributing adults.  While schools, leaders, and educators supplement this teaching, parents should guide and direct these sources, and have input on decisions made that involve their children.

A Mighty Mother’s Heart!

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The heart of every mother desires for her child to find his place in the world, but that same sweet mother’s heart just about breaks when her child goes into the world for his life’s journey. 

 

Within the past two years I’ve joyfully sent my two oldest children out of the country to help people far from home. As much as I felt like doing a front flip from joy, I also felt as if my heart was ripped out as I saw them step into adult shoes and adult responsibilities. My tears were mixed up. Some were joyful and others were filled with pain. 

 

I wondered how a mother’s heart must feel when she sends a child to war? Many, many mothers have worn badges of honor and sorrow as they have kissed their children and sent them off to stop a conflict or save the helpless. 

 

A mother’s heart is the most tender and powerful part of society. Classical stories and historical accounts are full of mothers loving and grieving in powerful ways for their children. Think of Abigail Adams, Mrs. Margaret March (Marmee), and Mary the mother of Christ. 

 

In a day when some people openly show disdain for motherhood — as well as contempt for the traditional public praise of that powerful social and familial figure we call mother — it might do us well to ask ourselves a question. Where would we all be, and who would we all be, without the strength and security that comes from a mother’s heart? 

 

Even if our own mothers weren’t perfect, they loved, ached and prayed for, as well as taught us. Their hearts made us choose better than we normally would have and helped us feel safety when nothing else would. No matter our age or the age of the mother’s heart, we lean on it for strength and look to it as a source of truth. Nothing can replace the impact a loving mother’s heart has on a person’s life.

 

For some, a mother wasn’t always there. But even when that happens, none can deny the powerful influences the hearts of other mothers can also have on us. Even just the longing for the love and security of a nurturing mother’s heart can forever improve a life and perspective. 

 

A Mighty Mother 

 

Years ago I spoke with a remarkable mother about one of the hardest motherhood moments in her life. As a mother of six children she was always busy teaching, correcting, kissing, loving and praying for her busy family. 

 

During World War II she was a young woman, so she knew firsthand the rigors of physical and emotional hardships. 

 

In war time the people knew many of the brothers, husbands, cousins, uncles and fathers wouldn’t come home alive. But World War II wasn’t the most important war the soldiers were fighting. To the families left behind and to the majority of the GIs, the real war was between right and wrong; good and bad. If their son had chosen the right and lived a clean, good life, then he had won even if he was killed in action. 

 

This mother married one of those clean, good men and raised a family of children who were taught how to be good people. They were also taught how to stay clean and good. 

 

One by one her children left the safety of her protective care. She watched them go and her heart swelled with pride and anguish. Most of the children chose paths that would lead them to happiness and freedom, but one child didn’t. 

 

She watched her young daughter start to develop bad friends and participate in activities that eventually led to her sadness and frustration. For a time, she damaged relationships and suffered many negative consequences for her actions. 

 

Then, almost as quickly as the young adult went off course, she found herself back on the right track. She became dedicated to living a happier and more principled life. 

 

When the mother related this story to me as one of her hardest parenting moments, I asked her what she did to help her daughter during her very difficult times. 

 

This now gray-haired, gray-eyed woman looked into my eyes and into my heart and said, “I loved her. I never stopped loving her. No matter what she did that wasn’t good, I kept showering her with my love. I didn’t agree with all my daughter did, but I never stopped loving her — and she knew it.” 

 

This one simple conversation with an elderly woman years ago taught me one of the most profound lessons about motherhood I have ever learned. A mother’s heart is her most powerful tool. It sets the tone for the relationships and the home environment, and it draws everyone to the truths she teaches. I also learned that no matter how hard a mother tries, a child may still go astray, but the mother’s heart can always help to bring a wayward child home again.

 

In hard times, a mother’s heart carries the others through and points the way to go. A mother’s heart is the dearest part of her. 

 

No wonder so many children present their mothers with pictures and crafts done up in hearts each year on that one day that commemorates the impact mothers have on us all and our hearts!

 

If you, your wife or mother wants more unity and happiness at home this year for Mother’s Day, you’ll want to take advantage of the extreme Mother’s Day discount special of $400 off on the upcoming Parenting Mastery Retreat. Visit: https://teachingselfgovernment.com/events/parenting-mastery-retreat 

The Bathroom Debate Exposed

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Recently, North Carolina has been called stupid, mean,out-of-touch, etc. because they refuse to adopt gender neutral bathrooms. At the same time, big companies like Target have said that all of their bathrooms are gender neutral. People have walked into Target locations with phones recording in their pockets and asked if they, as men, can use the women’s bathrooms without any trouble. The managers assure them they can and that they will talk to women who give them any trouble. (Some videos and facebook posts about the topic have even been removed because they expose the lack of truth behind the policies made.)

The Family Policy Institute of Washington recently did a video that really sums it all up.

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Totally interesting! They point out that some people very easily call perspective truth. It’s kind of ironic that they are on a university campus because traditionally universities have focused so much effort on proof of facts. All the questions he asked the students are all answered with subjective answers. No one got out a tape measure or asked for a birth certificate to find facts.



To some this kind of thinking seems enlightened I think, but to me it feels like that old story about the Emperor’s New Clothes. “Oh, look at those great new clothes. I can’t see them but I better say I do because someone else says they can see them.” The whole time the emperor is naked marching down the street.



Maybe the more “education” people get now days the further away from the facts they find themselves. Education should free us not add bondage by creating confusion. This whole bathroom debate goes against reason and facts. It’s weird that we are even having it.



In the story The Emperor’s New Clothes the emperor’s men tell everyone to prepare to see the very new and expensive clothing. They also tell the people that if they don’t see the clothes then that means the person is unfit for office or unusually stupid.



Who are the swindler weavers today? Who are the emperor’s men? Who will be the little child that calls out, “But he hasn’t got anything on.” Hans Christian Anderson taught us what to do about this bathroom business a long time ago. We need to still consult the facts so that we are not swindled.

I’m sure there will be some who see the bathroom issue with different eyes, but I just keep seeing the facts and it doesn’t add up to be a good idea to change bathroom policies.



I ask myself, “Is it possible that we have been stupid about bathrooms and locker rooms since the beginning? Or, could it be that someone just wants us to buy a new way of living that will make us feel like we are smarter even if we did no fact checking or thinking?”



Here is the story if you need a refresher course. https://www.andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheEmperorsNewClothes_e.html

Historic Pro-Children, Pro-Health, Pro-Family Event Today In Utah!

Utah Governor Herbert, Pamela Atkinson, Dr. Jennifer Brown, Sen. Todd Weiler, Rep. Hall

Today in the historic Gold Room in the historic Utah State Capitol history was made. For the first time ever a state body signed a resolution stating that pornography is a public health crisis. Because of the boldness and honesty of this resolution and the backing by medical experts and groups who have studied pornography it was a statement to the world that pornography is not just some other activity like gardening or painting, it has health risks that need to be known; especially because they can effect children in such a devastating way. 

 

The resolution was talked about on “The View” television program, in a recent front page article of TIME Magazine, as well as many other national and international talk and news programs. Even when we were at the United Nations this year multiple people from other nations talked to WOW about the resolution and showed approval. At the CSW [Conference on the Status of Women] conference leaders of an organiztion from Africa told us “it is about time someone points out that pornography leads to violence against women.” 

 

In the press conference and public signing today on Utah capitol hill Clay Olsen of “Fight the New Drug” said that he has received letters from boys and girls stating that they have learned accept violence against women because of exposure to pornography. 

 

Dawn Hawkins, president of The National Center of Sexual Exploitation, said that a “pandemic of harm” is caused by porn. She said the porn industry furthers sexual exploitation. 

 

Dr. Brian Willoughby, a relationship expert and BYU professor, talked about his research and corresponding research on the damaging effects of pornography sighting that it has been proven that pornography exposure at young ages links to “lower mental health.” 

 

The sponsor of the resolution, Senator Todd Weiler, said that calling porn damaging to health is no different than declaring smoking damaging to health. He sighted how cigaretts used to be available in vending machines until the true dangers and addictive qualities were made known at which time protections for children were put into place, and now the same needs to happen for pornography. 

 

The pornography industry is very lucrative. Pamela Atkinson, chair of UCAP, said that the latest data shows the porn industry makes 14 billion dollars annually. 

 

This truly was an historic day! WOW was happy to be part of promoting this resolution this year on Utah’s capitol hill and plans to continue to promote this type of awareness about pornography to help protect children and families from the harms  to conscience, health, and familial happiness that have been proven to occur when pornography is present in the home. 

 

Read the famous resolution here.