ARE YOU LEADING YOUR CHILDREN BY EXAMPLE?

by Kareema Z Ratliff

<b>Hello and Welcome to My Blog!

My name is Kareema and I'm a mother of (4) strapping young men, (1) lovely daughter, and (7) beautiful grandchildren ranging from ages 5 months to 14 years old. Oh, did I forget to mention that I'm married to one of the most wonderful man in the world?

I've made a promise to myself that in the year of 2009, that I'm going to be one of the best internet marketers online and I intend to keep that promise, if not for my children, then for my grandchildren's sake, because their future depends on me and not society, on whether they live or just exist.

And I for one, much rather they live their lives to the fullest and say to <u>@##@</u> with the "Status Quo".... Nothing's wrong with going against the grain, and to let them know that it's more than okay to "Dance to a Different Drum!"

Their survival is in our hands, as we have no idea of what tomorrow will bring. There may no longer be such a thing as Social Security, 401K, Stocks and Bonds, or Investments of any kind when they grow up, so it's up to us as parents and grandparents to step in and show them another way, teach them that the internet is their future, and that the computer is more than just a machine to browse through, have fun on, chat, and make friends.

And Most importantly, teach them how to be safe from harm as well. There are much too many predators out here snatching our young. Not to mention gun violence, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol abuse, and many other sources that can bring their tiny little lives to a screeching halt. This is all partly because they are raising themselves at an early age, no parental guidance of any kind, neglect, no schooling (For many), and the list goes on.

If they are taught at an early age, just like the days of yore...do you remember how our parents and teachers used to school us on how to not talk to strangers or take candy from them? Well, the same principles and more should apply to our children of today as well. Whatever happened to those teachings? Are we as parents and grandparents just too busy to stop and teach our children how to be aware of their surroundings and how to deal with potential danger, on and offline?

I'm saying these things because we are losing our children folks and they are rapidly becoming statistics. We're losing them to most things that can be avoided with the proper upbringing and knowledge. It seems as if we've stopped caring and it's every man for him or herself. We have simply become a rat-race. A dog-eat-dog world and no one seems to care. There seems to be no such thing as trust or love anymore and our children have become the prime target!

Whatever happened to teaching them morals and principles? They are suffering because we have given them no ammunition to defend themselves. Whatever happened to "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child?" It's a shame that if you try to correct another persons' child nowadays, their parent wants to shoot you.

That's right, It's true! I've seen it with my own eyes. The modern day parent thinks that spoiling their children and giving them anything they want is loving them, when in fact, this only brings them closer to danger. These children are too naive to the facts of life! They don't seem to get punished for any wrongdoing, bad grades, breaking the rules, etc., and we wonder why we have predators taking them away from us.

Almost all children learn by example. Are you teaching your children or grandchildren how to be the best they can be through what you do? If not, you may not have any offspring to carry on your legacy of the future. (Of course, only those with a high standard of moral behavior should answer this question) The computer can be either your friend or your enemy.

Which one will it be for your family? I think I can safely say that I've set a very positive and moral example for my children and they are now passing it down to theirs. I'm completely confident that the computer can and will be a friend to my grandchildren and great grands for years to come, just because I've set a good example and instilled it in my kids!

So, when my grandchild asks, "Is There a Santa Claus?" I can answer with: "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" and it's called, "The Information Highway!" This is the way to "REAL" success in life!

*I believe it and so shall my grandchildren.*

Thankyou for paying attention!

Kareema Z. Ratliff
Baltimore, MD., USA

(Visionary)

(Humanitarian)