Children’s Day 2014: Treasure our Children

Children’s Day 2014: Treasure our Children

Figure 1 Arzucanaskin.com photo credit

       As many of us have experienced throughout our lifetimes, there are days internationally reserved to specific topics to draw awareness/advocacy or simply to honor a memory. Many days are highly publicized making them more popular than others, and many with their own right. We’ve recently celebrated Memorial Day and it’s a day I’m sure all can empathize with; whether you’ve known someone in the battle, were a part of it yourself, or was just touched by the actions and efforts of your fellow countrymen. It is certainly a day to be recognized and (one I personally think) should rightfully be done internationally.

       But there are other important observances that go unnoticed every year; they are under publicized, uncelebrated and go without any recognition and the sad part about it is that those days are usually those observed for the rights, well-being, and education of children. I couldn’t help but wonder if the reason for those aren’t because, on a larger scale (judging by the insights of a majority) children’s issues are ‘seemingly’ marginal or does it just truly reflect what we as human beings in today’s societies value; ourselves.

       On this past May 11 our nation, like others (whether before or after) celebrated Mother’s Day; another day rightfully observed for all the hard work, perseverance, and stress (just to name a few) that mothers (like myself!) go through. There were plenty of advertisements ‘reminding’ us of the observed day and the things we could do to either support mothers and their struggle or to celebrate others. But also observed in May that has already come to pass was Brothers & Sisters Day/ Baby Day on May 2 and while the International Day of Families did have some ‘clout’ I can’t help, but wonder once again if it isn’t due to the fact that once more, adults were involved rather than it just being a celebration of children.  Then again, as I have thought of this I’m sure someone else has already and thus; Children’s Day was born, to bring light to the most innocent part of humanity that is probably the most abused/neglected because of size and age.

      But unlike other highly publicized observances that usually call upon a need to show support through donations or gifts I simply urge others to make yourselves more aware of the issues that are plaguing our world and to resonate closer to home, our nation. Did you all know that there is still child labor happening in the U.S? I’m sure most of you have heard of those children who aren’t allowed to purchase or smoke tobacco, picking tobacco leaves for profits, either way check out the Human Rights Watch! Among us are many evils lurking that many of us, myself included, thought were long gone. Awareness is the key to put a stop to these injustices for our fellow peers, as has touched the case of those children and the unfortunate one of the seven year old who died after becoming ill in a school with no nurse, who may have been able to discern the seriousness of the situation. There are many different topics to choose from and while I can only encourage self-awareness, spreading the word is the only way to kill this disease plaguing our world and nation so that we may begin to ‘treasure our children’ sincerely. 

Poetry For Women (By Women, About Women, For Women)

Our Children

Fleeting moments in time
The days speed by so fast,
The babes we cradled once
Seem so far in the past.

Our children so vibrant
With toys and games galore,
Endless days of playing
But now there's something more.

The need to help others,
To be responsible,
Expanding their boundaries,
Growing knowledgeable.

Incredible insights
To solve the world's woes,
So simple the answers
That these young persons know.

Our children's growing minds,
They look through caring eyes,
I have hope for the world,
In them the future lies.

— Karen Lynne Nivens

Poetry for Women (By Women, For Women, About Women)

Bye Bye Baby

With head bent low he watches her go,
bravely facing a world she does not know
He smiles goodbye and covers up his tears
for he must be brave if she looks back in fear.
Every fiber of his being wants to run and gather her
close to his heart but he makes his feet firm on the ground
all smiles as she turns round.
The first of many firsts for her and
he knows the pain of each step will remain.
Her first day of school is her first step away from
the safe harbour of a father's love 

Noreen Carden

Poetry For Women (By Women, For Women, About Women)

AIN'T I A WOMEN?

Photo Credits from http://ionenewsone.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/sojourner-truth.jpg

That man over there say

     a woman needs to be helped into carriages

and lifted over ditches

     and to have the best place everywhere.

Nobody ever helped me into carriages

     or over mud puddles

     or gives me a best place...

And ain't I a woman?

     Look at me

Look at my arm!

     I have plowed and planted

and gathered into barns

     and no man could head me...

And ain't I a woman?

     I could work as much

and eat as much as a man —

     when I could get to it —

and bear the lash as well

     and ain't I a woman?

I have born 13 children

     and seen most all sold into slavery

and when I cried out a mother's grief

     none but Jesus heard me...

And ain't I a woman?

     that little man in black there say

a woman can't have as much rights as a man

     cause Christ wasn't a woman

Where did your Christ come from?

     From God and a woman!

Man had nothing to do with him!

     If the first woman God ever made

was strong enough to turn the world

     upside down, all alone

together women ought to be able to turn it

     rightside up again.

Copyright © Sojourner Truth, 1852.

Poem by Sojourner Truth (1797-1883)

Thank God Your Not My Mom II: Who Leaves An Infant In The Car To Shop?

 Thank God Your Not My Mom II: Who Leaves An Infant In The Car To Shop?

     Alright everyone, I guess it's about that time that many readers won't agree with my sentiments, but I ask you to keep in mind that I don't agree with the sentiments of the author of this blog post either! Neither the women commenting on the post acknowledging their own past transgressions. NO One is perfect, but does that mean that we shouldn't strive for excellence still? Does that mean we should not do better when we know better because we don't have to? Because it's expected of us? I think not! It isn't expected of me, any member of my family, nor will I expect it from my children, because we need not to make mediocrity a norm although in many ways we already have.

       So a mother in New Zealand found probable cause to leave her infant in her car while she went out shopping, or so the note that she left on the apparent baby girl read, along with a number saying to please call mum if I need anything. Now while there are many situations in which many people leave their children in the car I don't think that leaving an defenseless infant in the car that could easily be broken in to or worse damaged and both of them or any of the above could be fatal. In such cases we tend to blame negligence on others instead of placing the blame where it should be, on the person themselves. A child that doesn't know how to talk, move or even scream is literally defenseless against perpetrators and incidents of all kinds. Anything can happen at a moments notice and those of us that like to stay informed are usually aware of how fast things can go sour or even how the most senseless things tend to occur to those who least deserve such treatment. Had there been a car accident where someone or thing had collided with her car while that precious baby was on board whose fault would it be? Where could one place the blame accurately? And suppose you were the other driver? How would you feel to know that you may have injured an infant, trying to save a cat in the street or swerving to avoid hitting another pedestrian or a group of people. They could be children crossing the street, or the elderly, suppose your decision to damage a parked car only lead to the destruction of a life that you were completely unaware was present. Would you blame yourself, or the mother that needed to shop hassle free (as so many mothers consider a blessing including me, but never left my infant to do it)?

       Last but certainly not least is the common fact that her baby could have been abducted. Now I don't know if that sort of thing doesn't regularly occur in New Zealand so parents aren't weary enough to take precautions, if such is the case then her ignorance is understandable to a certain extent, but other wise it just seems irresponsible at best. While sifting through the comments I noticed there where quite a few people that agreed with her actions and others that stated through their own personal accounts how far they supported the actions of the mother in case whether to a mediocre extent or all the way. In the accounts of parents that have left their children in the car to return the shopping cart, carry groceries (loading/unloading), or even dropping off one sibling while the other waits in the car, these are all situations everyone can empathize with and I'm sure most if not all would agree these instances aren't worth mentioning. But as it pertains to the situation itself I don't understand how anyone would think that it is OK to leave an infant in the car while they went shopping. Minors aged nine through eleven are targeted for such crimes and are unable to help themselves in most cases so how can anyone agree with such foolish tactics as an excuse for parenting. I noticed that many seem to think that I may be on a 'high horse' for acknowledging such foolishness, but I simply say this to those nay sayers most parents strive to give their children better than they've received so if your parents left you unattended regularly and nothing traumatic happened, kudos to you and yours but that doesn't mean you should settle. My mother didn't practice such parenting, as her mother taught her for those of us that are continuing trends and cycles that we went through although you know it isn't really right. I urge you to stop the cycle and kill the trend that has many of us facilitating the demise of our future; our children. Think about the mothers that thought it's OK to drink and smoke while pregnant because their mothers did it and had still births or now have babies with birth defects, or the fathers that figured they didn't need to be their for his children so his son repeated his 'sad song' and the daughter sang a tune of her own being left to raise a child alone. It doesn't only stop at leaving children unattended to go shopping it stops when we put our children before ourselves.

S. Lewis. (2013). I leave my baby alone in the car. Retrieved February 5, 2014 from http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/03262013-i-leave-my-baby-alone-in-the-car/

Children's Corner: Poetry

THE DUSTMAN

When the toys are growing weary,

And the twilight gathers in;

When the nursery still echoes

With the children's merry din;

Then unseen, unheard, unnoticed

Comes an old man up the stair,

Lightly to the children passes,

Lays his hand upon their hair.

Softly smiles the good old Dustman;

In their eyes the dust he throws,

Till their little heads are falling,

And their weary eyes must close.

Then the Dustman very gently

Takes each little dimpled hand

Leads them through the sweet green shadows,

Far away in slumberland.

Frederic Edward Weatherly

Children's Corner; Poetry

Good Night!

On your pretty cradle-bed;

Shut your eye-peeps, now the day

And the light are gone away;

All the clothes are tucked in tight;

Little baby dear, good night.

How the bitter wind doth blow;

And the winter's snow and rain

Patter on the window-pane:

But they cannot come in here,

To my little baby dear.

Till the stormy night is past;

And the curtains warm are spread

Round about her cradle-bed:

So till morning shineth bright

Little baby dear, good night!

Little baby, lay your head

Yes, my darling, well I know

For the window shutteth fast,

Till the stormy night is past;

And the curtains warm are spread

Round about her cradle-bed:

So till morning shineth bright

Little baby dear, good night!

Author : Ann and Jane  Taylor

Children's Corner: Poetry

"Ode to an Infant Daughter"

I thought a rose the fairest thing
That I could ever see
Until I saw this little girl 
That God had given me

Of music's finest part I thought
That I had heard the whole
Until my daughter's little cry
Brought music to my soul.

My arms I thought had borne their share
Of life's most perfect part
Until I held this tiny form
Against my joy-filled heart

I thought the greatest joy was mine
That any one could know
But then I only held the cup
Which now doth overflow

 Author: unknown

Children's Corner; Poetry

SITTING BY YOUR SELF

THIS child needs your love,
this child sees himself in
mamas arms,
this child sings,
this child laughs,
this child cries, when your
sitting by your self.
THIS child sees your tears,
this child waits untill its
past.
this child sings,
this child laughs,
this child cries, when your
sitting by your self.
THIS child takes your hand,
this child leads you to a
chair.
this child sings,
this child laughs,
this child takes away your pain.

 

DAVID GERARDINO

 

Children's Corner; Poetry

"baby"

I wonder if you ever dreamed…

About me and the world unrevealed

I wonder if you ever smiled…

Whenever I talk to you from the outside



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



I feel butterflies within…

Is that you that I am feeling?

I feel happy when you do that…

Now let’s see, what else do you have?



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



Every night I want to dream of you…

Hold your face and kiss you

Feel your soft skin and smell it…

Give you a hug and tickle your feet



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



That is real enough for me…

To see you in my dreams and hold you tenderly

However, I still can’t wait to see…

My precious little gift… my baby.

 Author: Unknown

Children's Corner; Poetry

"A Parent's Blessing"

When you come into this World,
our lives will be disarrayed,
but don't you ever worry baby,
you'll never be betrayed.
You're a miracle to us both and
you haven't even arrived
although you have already lived longer,
than some others even survived.
You'll be our best friend,
for the rest of all mankind,
We would do anything for you,
whatever is on your mind.
Don't ever think that we don't love you,
cause that is far from true,
We'll be Mom and Dad forever,
and love you your whole life through.

 Author: Rachel Kline

Children's Corner; Poetry

"A Father's Prayer"

Lord I'm asking for Your help
To raise my newborn son,
Give me strength and guide me
‘Cause I know that You're the one.That sent this angel to me
A little heaven here on earth,
For now I know my place in life...
I'm no longer who comes first.Once I had no answer
As to why it is I'm here,
But when I looked into my baby's eyes....
It all became so clear.This little bit of heaven
Owns me, heart and soul
And it's You that sent him to me
A greater love I'll never know.So take these rugged hands of mine
Help me to understand,
Just what it is I need to do
To raise this little man.Help me build a boy that knows
It's You that holds the key,
To all that heaven holds for us
Show him Your love through me.

 Author: Unknown

Touchy Aren’t We!!!

       Yesterday after reading a post about a woman who decided it wasn't necessary to bathe her baby every day or even every week! She said she was incited to write her blog post when she realized that she couldn't remember the last time she used her four month olds bath tub. After reading her blog post and checking out the recommended views of interviews she had I decided to publish my own blog post, which many of you have read 'Thank God Your Not My Mom' and shared it with my Google plus page and communities that I thought would at least respect and appreciate a difference of opinion, but I was wrong. Apparently member of Google plus 'Go to Parents Community' were not pleased with my objective points of view within a post I responded to by a fellow community member. In his post he linked the very same article by Claire Goss, but I guess when he asked for different points of view on this "outrage" he meant the fact that people, like myself, found it to be an outrage that people don't think it necessary to bathe children habitually or themselves. Yes, I realize that babies aren't as active as the rest of us, so they probably don't sweat as much and accumulate dirt and grime on their skins as toddlers and adolescents do, still they are human and they do sweat regardless of whether or not it is noticed. I had the same gentleman who I made the 'horrid mistake' of responding to his post take offense because I didn't agree with his point of view and from their began with condescending remarks like ' Well in the Caribbean its hot so babies would need to bathe, but we have AC'. After I kindly reminded him that the U.S Virgin Islands is no third world country and we do have AC as well as many other materialistic things (like Benz, BMW's, and we spend 'Benjamin's'), but I soon realized that no matter what was said on my part this was a lynch mob out to get the island girl. After a while I just became a spectator within the conversation as people continuously kept mentioning me in their condescending remarks, and honestly just to piss them off I keep repeating what we all in the Caribbean knows, not bathing your child regularly is NEGLECT. I guess they felt the need to justify their own actions for not one of the seven people leading this lynch mob bothered to comment on the discussion at hand, Claire Goss neglecting her baby a bath for over a week, but their own practices. Justifying their beliefs with the excuse that it may cause dry skin, well from what I've seen dry skin must appear if skin is not regularly hydrated; water. The pediatricians that advise parents to do this, don't say that they should, only that it's ok for three days out of the week, but of course the American people decided to take it to church and that is where it is being held. I sincerely would like to ask my readers, anonymously of course, do you all practice not bathing your child for a week or more like Claire Goss, and if not but you do practice it, what would be considered by you and your standards an appropriate ratio in which it isn't necessary to bathe children. Thanks for your thoughts and responses so far; looking forward to reading more!!
Please email me if it better suits your privacy needs @ usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com .

Children's Corner: Poetry

"A Babies Bath"

A baby in a tub is a beautiful site to see,
She giggles and she laughs while
you make her clean as can be!

She throws bubbles in your face,
Having oh, so much fun!
A baby in a bath is good times - homespun!

She splashes in the water with such delight,
While you count each precious little finger and toe,
A drop of water drips onto her face,
Causing her to crinkle up that beautiful little nose!

When splash time is over you pick her up,
You wrap her tightly in a towel,
She releases a big hiccup!

You hug her oh so gently,
Pat her down until she's dry,
She smells so fresh, so clean,
It makes you want to cry!

For baby days go by so fast,
She's growing everyday,
Now all you find yourself wanting to do,
Is keep her out of harm's way.

Next thing you know she's all grown up,
She now has a life of her own,
You dig out all the baby pictures and just
hope and pray that you have sown....

Sown good seeds in her heart and mind,
So that as her life moves on she will be able to find...
The happiness, the contentment,
The peace she once knew,
Back when she was a baby in a bath,
At about age 2!

 Author: Unknown

Thank God you’re NOT MY MOM!!!

    This morning I woke up, and after finishing my motherly chores (cleaning up my baby, feeding him, etc.) I opted to check on the news updates, and see what was going on in the world, but what I saw really shocked me, and the reason for this is because no one seems to think there is anything wrong with it. Claire Goss, a mother of three and part time blogger, came out to the world saying she doesn't have the time to bathe her baby and that she does bathe him maybe once a week, but she does admit that she does go longer. I was personally filled with rage after hearing about it in an online forum and then watching parents advocate for this fact. How is it possible that bathing your child is hurting their skin? Last time I checked if they're not changed regularly they get rashes so how can they not bathe regularly? And why is the nation agreeing with such a mockery of parenting; we aren't allowed to spank children for its abuse, but letting them go for days or weeks without a bathe isn't a crime?

    In her blog post Claire states that her pediatrician's office says that there is no need to bathe babies daily and that it causes dry skin. I sincerely don't understand how bathing can contribute to dry skin, maybe the soaps or water being used but not the simple act of bathing. Also there is plenty of merchandise on sale everywhere that can be used to lubricate a baby's skin, organic, cheep or otherwise; lotion, Vaseline, baby oil, etc. Being that I am from the Caribbean, U.S Virgin Islands people seem to think that it is more necessary to bathe a child here as opposed to the U.S mainland, my question is though if that deductive reasoning was derived through weather patterns, then I don't understand how they would still insist that bathing a child in Georgia during the summer would cause complications or that it wouldn't be necessary seeing as the heat index clearly indicates that many states are habitually hotter than in the Caribbean due to humidity.

    I am a part of an online community of parents and educators, of which both groups seem to have slightly different opinions, but none are saying what I personally think they should which is "This is wrong:". Any advocate for children or a parent with a heart would treat their own child as they would treat themselves, with that being said how many parents don't bathe for a week or more because it may cause dry skin. I tried to reach out to my personal pediatrician, but they were unavailable within their office this morning and in the afternoons usually she's at the hospital. Child care is one thing that is done universally but in different ways. It is not my intent to 'condemn' those who choose alternative practices, but I would implore upon those 'modern parents' to seek knowledge in the area prior to implementing new practices and be prepared to be scrutinized especially if you have no reason for your actions other than 'Mother knows best'.

 

While I'm sure that the original blog post by Claire Goss and the Good Moring America interview are linked within my blog page I would like to share once more so everyone can get all the information I did before commenting. If anyone would like to discuss this further or provide any other insights they are more than welcome, even if not aligned with mine. Please comment or email me at usvi.childhood.learning@gmail.com

 

GMA Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC_honYXGUc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Original post by Claire Goss http://babble.com/baby/i-dont-bathe-my-baby/