Remember Who You Are.

"it's not what you do as a parent; it's who you are..."

What a phenomenal statement by the authors of Freakonomics. In the chapter on "What makes a perfect parent," the writers provide ample evidence from several studies that would seem to back this statement up. By the time it comes time to worry about parenting, it is often too late.

The institution is generational. We may need to increase federal funding of education--although the Constitution seems to say something about reserved powers. We certainly need more technology available for the students; we need quality teachers in every classroom who are committed to continuing to be students themselves; we need innovative administration without the baggage of bureacracy...

But more than anything, we need a renewed commitment to the idea of family stability. I could easily boast about the fact that I'm 28 years old, own my own house, and only bring home around $20,000 annually. Of course, the bragging doesn't lie in the sum of money, but in what I've been able to accomplish with such a paltry amount. But the reality is that we are in this positive position because of the stability of my parents. They worked hard to get an education and to do a little bit better than their folks before them. That's the American dream after all. Now because of their example and my grandfolks before them, my wife and I are in the position to understand the responsibility of parenting. We understand the value of education, hard work, values, perseverance, community, etc... and because of that--at least according to those Freakonomics professors--Samuel Adams Thomas has a pretty good chance in this ol' world.

It's not about ME. That's what the Spirit has always taught us. Somehow, we have to return or perhaps move forward towards strong family structures. We can debate the methods, but shouldn't we agree on that principle?