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| | GROWN UPS
Caring Makes The Difference
Judith
Lawrenson MA,Ed.
I would like to join
with Low Country Family Magazine in congratulating and applauding our local
young people who have shown academic excellence this school year. Students who
receive honors of this nature are those who have demonstrated that they are
capable of focus toward attainment of their goals, and appropriate use of
their talents and abilities.
I have worked
successfully with many children in my professional career and I will proudly
tell you that both of my own children have achieved awards and merit
scholarships in their higher education endeavors. Neither one of these things
makes me an expert, of course, but I would like to share with you something
that I feel is very important in making your children achieve their greatest
potential.
It seems to me that
young people who succeed are those who are cared about. Perhaps a parent,
grandparent, mentor, teacher, or even a strong peer group can really make a
huge difference in how a young person views themselves.
A local example of
this is the mentoring program founded by Buck Edwards. He volunteers with the
schools to provide mentors for at risk students. These are not tutors but
caring adults who meet with these young people regularly sometimes just to
talk and listen. I know some of these mentors who have been with their
students for several years and have built wonderful bonds.
And what about peer
pressure? Well, I recently attended a graduation that gave me a feeling of
hope that is hard to describe. When the girl who was valedictorian stood up to
speak, a whole group of her friends gave her a standing ovation. They were not
jealous or envious of their friend. They were proud of her. I wish we could
all lift each other up like those girls did when their friend came in first!
They must have always "been there for her" as the kids say, through
the many times when she was at the library instead of the mall. Parents fear
negative peer pressure, but often peers can act positively together and be a
strong force to empower a group.
Finally, the most
important source of self -esteem, pride, and security is, of course, the
family. Often families help the most by teaching their children how to make
hard choices. We all have said things like: Do your homework. Let me check
that paper. No, you can’t go out until that is done. Who was on the phone?
Let me see your grades. I agree that this is sometimes necessary. But, we also
need to say other things: What do you think? How important is that? Think
about it and make your own decision. Hopefully, children will keep learned
values with them as they move forward in their own lives and use those values
to make the right choices.
Always remember that
"I am so proud of you," is the most beautiful music to a child’s
ear.
Judith Lawrenson. MA, Ed.
Comments to Judith at JLResource@AOL.com,
or Post on our Bulletin Board
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