Dropping a cross post from my Dad the Single Guy blog because I think this audience would have some thoughts on this too:

I’ve never been one (or at least I hope I have not been one) to look for help unless I am truly out of options and just can’t figure out a problem or issue.  This is especially true when it comes to parenting and raising my kids.  Beyond a sense of responsibility, I think I owe it to them to just figure it out.

Sometimes the answer is asking for help-and with some reluctance on my part I have become more willing to do that.

But then came a blog post a friend shared via Twitter and on Facebook entitled “Sacrificial Lambs: How We Are Destroying Our Children” and it got me thinking.  The blog (and please do read it for yourself and not just accept my thoughts) basically outlines how schools, social services and third-party support have allowed the nation’s poorest children to slip through the cracks.

I am not questioning the reasoning or the information presented by Peter Cookson.  I do take issue with the fact that Mr. Cookson (whom I’ve never met or read anything else from) thinks the problem can be fixed through social change-in effect change the “system” and change the outlook.

That just can’t be.  Certainly there are things that can be done. Families should not have to live pay-check to pay-check at the poverty line.  But they should be the first-and only line of defense in the well-being of their children.  There is no government program or school based fix.

Parents have to make the sacrifice for the kids they brought into the world.  Perhaps I am sensitive to this because of sacrifices I’ve seen made for my kids-and the sacrifices I make for them, and certainly I do not have all of the answers nor do I want to position myself as a poster-child for family life.

And, I do believe there should be a social net so children do not fall through the cracks.  But the fix has to start with family engagement-from parental school involvement, to family structure (and I do not mean nuclear family here, rather an engaged mother or father figure) to making time for your kids.

Today is a perfect example.  I am writing this blog on an eastbound LIRR train.  I left work early with a 6PM call still on my schedule to make sure my older daughter got to her softball practice on time.  Tomorrow, I will leave early again to get the younger one to a softball game.  The car pools are set up to get them to Hebrew school.  I’ve emailed with both of their teachers today about in class happenings.
It can be done.  It’s not easy and it is a commitment of time and energy-but they are my kids and I’ll raise them.