Give Them a Hand to Hold

This world is a place full of comparison and everywhere you look people are faking it till they make it….or just faking it.  I was thinking the other day about how no one really knows what’s going on inside a person’s life, home, mind. We see what’s on the outside.  And sometimes we just see what we want to see….or on social media, what people want us to see. But what about the things that are hidden?

This is probably not going where you think I’m leading you…. 

You see, children are the same.  Many people see a child based on their outside appearance, their behavior.  Often times, they get dismissed by their actions, especially what is seen as “bad”.  They become “bad” in your image. They have “bad behavior”, “bad attitude”. Parents start wondering why their child acts this way.  Teachers start losing hope that they can teach this child. The community judges and starts advising on what should happen to or for that child.  They become singled out in class. Friends quit being friends. Parents give up hope. And the problem grows.  

We are missing something…

We are forgetting to look carefully and SEE what’s happening inside.  I strongly believe that children are good. They are born with amazing personalities, each individually.  They are talented in unique ways. They are made to be loved and respected, and they are made to be safe and protected by their families.  They are ALL GOOD!

Not all children are raised equally.  They are not all blessed to have safe homes.  They are not all raised with the same opportunities.  It’s our job as a community to seek what a child is like from the inside.  It’s our job as a community to be knowledgeable that not every child enters the classroom with all their needs met, so therefore, they are not going to be as approachable or attentive as a child who has all their needs met.  Not all children have grown up in safety and security in their homes or communities. When this is known by the parent, caregiver, family, or other community partner, extra steps should be made to offer safety and security within that relationship.  

We must take the responsibility to seek what’s on the inside and develop a relationship with that child to meet those needs that go unmet.  Maybe it’s encouragement, love, safety. Maybe it’s a person to laugh with, play with, share their secrets with. Maybe it’s food and shelter.  

When you see a child struggle, give them a hand to hold onto.  Instill HOPE in their lives. Avoid adding to the weight of their burdens by ignoring them or isolating them.  Instead of calling them out and causing potential humiliation, reach out in a loving and understanding way.  

All children deserve goodness and mercy, love and patience, safety and security.  Give them a hand to hold and hold on tight.

That’s what I’m doing every day I work with a child or take time out of my day to reach out to a child.

Will you join me?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Dayna