Saturday, April 11, 2009

Children Live What They Learn

This folksy saying is really true and I guess that's why it is said so often. I am back in the "mental health services for children" field. My new job - 3 days a week - involves ensuring that all of the case worker reports include the information required by varous regulatoy bodies and in compliance with company policy.

Some of the services range from a 'mentoring' program, which I imagine is similar to a Big Brother/Big Sister type relationship with a bit more focus on building specific skills, to intensive in-home services and the whole range in between.

What is evident in almost 100% of the cases I read about each day at work is that many of the the behavioral/mental health issues of the children are a direct result of the parenting or lack thereof of the adults in their lives. Some of the mental illness might be considered hereditary, but most of it is "nurture" influence.

I grieve for the children in our program as many of them have suffered emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse, struggle with substance abuse and a general lack of coping skills to deal with their daily lives.

I don't know how to stop the cycle, except to do what agencies like the one I work for is trying to do: provide services to the child(ren) and also to the families that are often the source or a mitigating factor in the children ending up in our program in the first place.

What is apparent is that once parents learn how to parent, once they are educated about appropriate behavior and acceptable ways to interact with their children, life improves not only for the children, but for the entire family unit. There a some "success" stories. Those are the ones you live for. Those are the ones that make you want to go to work each day. There's always a chance for improvement.

Children are God's gift to the world. They are our future. We must nurture and love them so they can grow up to nurture and love - themselves and each other and everyone else in the world.

Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, "Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children." (Deuteronomy 4:10 NIV)

Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time. (Deuteronomy 4:40 NIV)

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. (Deuteronomy 6:6-8 NIV)

Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." (Deuteronomy 31:13 NIV)

4 comments:

  1. May God bless you in this line of work because I know how mentally exhausting it can become. Yes, you're right, some of the sources are the lack of parenting skills and just like in the correctional facility where I work, most souls there are hungry for love. Our Father is the greatest source of parenting skills and I pray that we, as parents will look up to Him and in return, we may serve as great examples to our dear children. Thank you for sharing this sister and have a Happy Resurrection Sunday! God bless. Love in Christ-Rosel

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  2. GOD bless you, Mary! Your servants heart is full of love and I know GOD is going to use you in ways far beyond your comprehension. He opened this door as a pathway to new adventures for you and the children you will touch. Your services will be a part of healing and restoration for some of those children....GOD hears your (our) prayers. Thank you for being a living vessel for HIM. Love and prayers, andrea

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  3. This is the hardest for me...children in crisis. My mom is mentally ill & an alcoholic and those were hard circumstances to grow up under. May God be with all those children, and with you as you minister to them.

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  4. Praying For The Children, & There Family. that Live On Same Road where I Live. For there Salvation In The Name Of Jesus Christ. I Pray God Will Bless There Health, Home, School, Work, Healing Blessing. In The name Of Jesus Christ, i Pray God Put Joy, Love Peace & Forgiveness in There Heart, In The Name Of Jesus christ. I Pray They Stay in School to, In The Name of Jesus Christ. & Pray For President Barack Obama. Pray Gor The Jews & USA.


    In God We Trusts

    But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers." 1 Peter 4:7

    Pray For bipolar For Healing In The Name Of Jesus Christ
    I Pray For All Family Have a financial Healing In The name of jesus Christ

    Pray For teens, depression sadness, youth teenagers, girls , boys... Prayer of Children for their Parents . Pray For neighbors, & Childrens parents
    1Pe 4:16 Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God
    IN GOD WE TRUST
    Pray for Africa In The name of Jesus Christ
    Prays for President Obama and Wife, & Children’s and his new administration. Your efforts will work powerfully in our nation.
    Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, I Pray For Peace For USA. God Bless Jerusalem, God Bless USA. In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Pray. Pray for neighbors,& teens, IN GOD WE TRUST
    FATHER GOD SEND REVIVAL, AND LET IT START WITH ME" Pray For Our Youth & Young Adults.In The Name Of Jesus Christ
    A family that prays together stays together.

    Please Pray for Street Bullies In The Name Of Jesus Christ & Pray For Schools
    Pray For The Family Live Be side me & Around me. Bless There Home & Work & Shool. Bless There health to, & The One's who do not know Jesus As There Saver Salvation will Get Saved In The Blood Of Jesus.

    Prayer of a Mother whose children are no longer at home. In The Name Of Jesus Christ


    I’M PAYING FOR YOU AND OTHER PEOPLE AROUND ME Prayer for families is the very foundation that keeps a family unit together. Have you heard the phrase "A family that prays together stays together"? The concept is true - a family that has their focus on praying to the Lord Jesus Christ has a foundation that may be shaken at times, but it will withstand all that comes against them.
    I Pray for In The Name Of Jesus Christ, For

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