ParentalRights.org Rally in Dallas, TX – Saturday, March 1, 2008
We’d like to remind you of an exciting upcoming rally on Saturday, March 1, 2008. Michael P. Farris, J.D. will speak on the important topic of eroding parental rights in the U.S. This issue affects EVERY PARENT IN AMERICA. Don’t miss this special opportunity to hear Farris’s SOLUTION, which he describes as “the battle of the century for every parent in America.” This is a free event, and all parents and concerned citizens in Texas and surrounding states are invited. Read the rest of this entry »
Our family experienced a minor disaster this past week that gave me new insight into my kids. Last weekend the city sewer system had a clog in it that caused the sewer to back up into our basement. Yeah, I know, gross! It flooded a little less than an inch in depth (thankfully!)but covered most of our basement. This happened in about four other townhouses near us as well. As a side note, the town has been great so far in fixing the problem and cleaning up and fixing our basement.
You can imagine the result to our basement and how it destroyed a lot of things (mostly toys) that were down there. We also had to stay at grandma’s house for a couple nights just to be safe. Right after that happened I had to go out of town for three days and three nights. These two things together had an emotional impact on my six year-old daughter. She really is doing great but at night as she’s going to bed she’s been a little traumatized and has a little trouble getting to sleep.
What struck me was how something like these events had such an impact on her emotionally. Her world is built on her family and her home and those two things were bumped this week. I just can’t imagine what something more serious would do to her and can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like for our child-parent bond to be broken.
As a nation we debate a lot of issues related to public policy and that is a good and healthy thing for our democracy. But as a nation we unify in agreement on certain core principles. I hope that one of those core principles remains the role that parents play in the lives of their children. What the policy and legislation looks like is debatable but we’ve got to agree that kids need their parents! We’ve got to protect that relationship, not undermine it. We’ve got to support parents, not tear them down. We’ve got to protect children, not tear down mom and dad. Bottom line is we’ve got to protect the parental rights doctrine.
My kids need me.
A Palm Beach County case on parental rights reached the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday. The case started with Boynton Beach High School student Cameron Frazier, an eleventh grader who refused to say the pledge of allegiance with the rest of his class in 2005. The following year a district court judge handed down a ruling that minor children possess “autonomy” from parents to decide whether or not to say the pledge of allegiance.
The district court ruling directly contradicts Florida law, which seeks to protect the rights of both students and parents by requiring parental consent for students wishing to “opt out” of saying the pledge. But Frazier, his mother, and the ACLU were intent on striking down the state law and altering the state education policy which allows parents to make crucial decisions for their children regarding attendance of certain classes, or, in this case, determining whether or not to say the pledge of allegiance. In comments praising the district court’s decision, Howard Simon, Executive Director of the ACLU of Florida said, “It was long past due for this unconstitutional law in Florida to be struck down and the conscience and rights of young people to be respected by school officials.” Read the rest of this entry »
The following article by ParentalRights.org board member Michael Smith originally appeared in the Washington Times on January 14, 2008. It can be read at the Washington Times website here.
All good parents are committed to seeking the best for their children, and in the crucial days of the presidential nominating process, many of us are turning our eyes to the years ahead.
What will the future look like for our children?
Though candidates and voters may have different perspectives on the specifics of achieving a positive future, one thing remains certain: Children need their parents.
The overwhelming majority know that parental involvement in the lives of children makes a key difference when it comes to their healthy development, education and positive life choices. In particular, home-school families know firsthand the impact of strong parental involvement in the lives of children.
Few dispute the vital role of parents in raising the next generation, but, regrettably, few recognize that the fundamental role of parents is under direct attack. Read the rest of this entry »
Several weeks back we highlighted a Florida county that allowed McDonald’s to market directly to children through report cards that upset some parents who felt it undermined their desire to teach healthy eating habits to their children.
Yesterday my wife received a letter in the mail from American Girl that was a welcome contrast. Our three girls love their American Girl dolls and this mailing was a marketing piece for American Girl Magazine which is apparently designed for 8-12 year-old girls. I don’t know anything about the magazine so don’t confuse this post as a recommendation. I can say that American Girl dolls are a welcome contrast to other girls toys like Bratz.
There were several great things about the mailing from American Girl. First, it was addressed to a parent rather than the children and the whole package was pitching the magazine to the parent rather than bypassing the parent. Secondly, this part from the enclosed flyer was very encouraging to me:
Why Parents love American Girl magazine:
It’s a great parenting tool, supporting you in your efforts to raise a healthy, confident girl. You’ll enjoy all the articles, and you’ll appreciate how they inspire conversations with your daughter.
You’ll also appreciate what’s not in American Girl magazine:
- No tips on how to flirt with boys;
- No articles on losing weight or plastic surgery;
- No ads pushing sugary snacks, sexy clothes, or R-rated DVDs–
- Nothing pushing your daughter to grow up too fast!
When American Girl magazine arrives in your mailbox, you can be sure that your daughter will be thrilled to receive it. And you’ll be delighted she’s spending time with a magazine you can trust.
So I say, “Bravo American Girl for supporting the critical role of parents in the lives of their daughters!” It is too bad that our government does not always show that same kind of respect. Learn the Issue and find out why we are working for a parental rights amendment to the Constitution. After that, be sure and sign the petition!
THE POWER OF A PARENT
“They’re my foundation,” 17-year-old Kristiana St. John says of her parents in a recent Associated Press interview, “My mom tells me that even if I do something stupid, she’s still going to love me no matter what. Just knowing that makes me feel very happy and blessed.”
Kristiana was one of 1,280 young people asked to identify what makes them happy in a recent MTV/Associated Press survey. Overwhelmingly, these young people named spending time with family as their top answer. Nearly three quarters - 73 percent - said that their relationship with their parents is what “makes them happy.”
And studies show that the impact of parental involvement in a child’s life goes well beyond making them happy. The relationship that parents share with their children plays a powerful role in the child’s overall health and education. Read the rest of this entry »
