Monday, May 16, 2011

Serenity Prayer

I know that AA uses this prayer. However I have a slot in my brain where this prayer fits just so.

My desire to be productive and to help this place called earth to be a good place for everyone makes me say things that might offend people.

Loved ones are offended because they think that it was not my place to blog about a stranger who yelled at his son. They say that I do not know the complexities of being a father, the hardships that fathers go through at work and the troubles they go through to make a buck. Once in a while it does happen that they take their frustrations out at their kids.
I would not know the complexities of being a father, this is true. It is also true that a father may be frustrated and take the anger out on a child. A lot of us mothers have taken out our frustrations on kids and I am sure they are still doing that. I am not denying that I could have done it without realizing it. My point is that let us try not to hurt our kids because they are going through hard times anyway.  If we do not admit our wrong doings and change ourselves, where is this world going to go?
I know that about myself and unpleasant times with my kids I can only say "If I could turn back time." (God Bless Cher)

17 comments:

yaya said...

I always feel a sting in my heart when I see a child getting yelled at, or worse, hit in public. I know how hard it is to parent..I have 4 kids (all grown). But I always tried to discipline in private, not by raising my voice. I was able to get the point across. Yes, there were the "bad parent" times too and I truly wish I too could turn the clock back. But we can't so it's really important to try and let others know that so they don't have the same regrets.

Tracy said...

Munir,
I so admire you that you spoke out and while some may have had their words I totally beleive you as a person can blog about whatever it is you feel is important to respond to and what you feel called to mention.
I can't even tell you how many times a day I say the Serenity Prayer...a lovely reminder!
thanks for speaking from your heart!

Belle said...

I think it is a good thing to remind people not to yell at children. Yes, parents do make that mistake; we all lose our tempers once in a while. But I always think it is good to stand up for children in this world. They are the most vulnerable of humans.

Grayquill said...

Hmmm...everyone, if they live long enough, will carry some regret. It seems the older I get the stack of regret grows higher. Frustration is not an excuse nor does it give one permission to hurt another. Now, let me go see if I can practice what I preach.

Arti said...

Children are the most precious gifts from God. And I believe that we actually have no right to yell at them just because we are angry or frustrated! Care must be taken to see that they aren't being scolded for apparently no mistake of theirs in the name of discipline!

snowwhite said...

Children are the mirror of their parents. If the parents yell at childen because of their frustration or anger, what will happent to the children? What kind of adults will the children become?
Thank you for sharing this issue.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Munir, tell those people that are complaining about the complexities of being a father to "man up". Seriously, no one forced them to pop out kids. That's just ridiculous. People need to take responsibility for their choices (yes, having children is a choice people).

Zuzana said...

I think everyone has the right to express their own opinions about any kind of subjects, as long as it is not insulting and hurtful. Just stick to your beliefs.;)
Thnak you so much for stopping by my place and for your kind words,
xoxo

Hope said...

I agree!
wonderful post!

Arkansas Patti said...

Thanks so much for stopping by.
My parents occasionally went through hard times, but they NEVER took out their frustrations on us kids and certainly never in public.
Civility has taken a back seat these days both in dealing with children but also in dealing with each other.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Munir .. I think it's good to be reminded - perhaps one day someone will read and realise what they've done .. or someone else will remember .. it's good to let us know - no harm done to anyone .. Cheers Hilary

Step-parent's Cove said...

I thought the post was a wonderful reminder how we need to step back sometimes when parenting. I think we all know that each have the ability to yell or scream at our children, but we demand so much of our children and less of ourselves that often times we as parents over step boundaries which are given to those who are non-family members. Causing emotional hurt to the little soul that depends upon us to get them successfully to adulthood. So, I thought of your post as a personal parent reminder.

Hilary said...

Anger and frustration happens. That does not give us the right to use those feelings to hurt - physically or emotionally. And it does give us the chance to later express regrets and explanations of frustration, which is a good learning experience for our kids.

Thanks for your visit to my blog. :)

Maggie May said...

I think we all get cross with children sometimes because we are human.
However, I have found it best to walk away if that irritation turns into anger!
I think the pace of living these days causes people a lot of stress. There is so much to cram into the day.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Southpaw said...

One should never take out their frustrations and anger and disappointed in themselves on anybody.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Manir. Thanks for visiting my blog. This is a great post, very true. It is difficult bringing up children and we all make mistakes. I couldn't yell at mine in public but I'm afraid I could yell at home sometimes.

Denise<3

Vanilla Mama said...

Being a parent, whether a father or a mother, is a complex and heart rendering job. Complex and difficult. Many parents make it harder on themselves than it needs to be - children learn what they are shown - for me, I am no different in public than I am at home, I will call my kids out if they are acting up and praise them if they are being good. It is good that you point out to people that they should be careful how they treat their children! Thank you!