Who is the real delinquent?

Here’s a poem from an anonymous source that I’d like to share with you. I’d be glad to give credit to its creator if you could help me find out who the person is. 

Who is the real delinquent

We read in the papers, we hear on the air,

Of killing and stealing, and crime everywhere.

We sigh, and we say, as we notice the trend,

“This young generation! Where will it all end?”

But can we be sure that it’s their fault alone?

That maybe most of it isn’t really our own?

Too much money to spend, too much idle time;

Too many movies of passion and crime;

Too many books not fit to be read;

Too much of evil in what they hear said;

Too many children encouraged to roam,

By too many parents who won’t stay at home.

Kids don’t make the movies, they don’t write the books,

That paint a gay picture of gangsters and crooks.

They don’t make the liquor, they don’t run the bars,

They don’t pass the laws, nor make the high-speed cars.

They don’t make the drugs that addle the brain;

It’s all done by older folks greedy for gain.

Thus in so many cases it must be confessed,

The label “Delinquent” fits older folks best.

To all the parents reading this column: do me a favor, will you? Could you mark off one day in your calendar this year to spend exclusive time with your kid? Do this one kid at a time, not all kids all at once. I can promise you this experience will be remembered forever.

People grow old, and children grow up, and one of the most tragic things that can happen happens – the kids become adults without any pleasant memories of time spent with their parents. Now parents, I’m not trying to bring you on a guilt trip. Those who know me and those who have attended my seminars know me better than that. I’m simply stating the fact that you have to express your love to your children and you have to set aside time to be with them.

So I appeal to you once again with this suggestion: spend one whole day with each of your kids. Just you and him (or her), one-on-one. Name the day. Brand it. Call it Your Child’s Day. Bring your child to where he or she wants to go. Have a great time. Buy a gift. Break your diet and eat chocolate cake. Most important, have fun building great memories. And no sermons, please! I am telling you, this will be one of the most unforgettable days of your child’s life.

And by the way- no bringing of laptop or Ipad or Blackberry as well! Just give your undivided attention to your kid.

Allow me to end today’s article with another poem:

Take a moment to listen today

To what your children are trying to say;

Listen today, whatever you do

Or they won’t be there to listen to you.

Listen to their problems, listen to their needs,  

Praise their smallest triumphs, praise their smallest deeds;

Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter,

Find out what’s the matter, find out what they’re after.

But tell them that you love them, every single night

And though you scold them, be sure you hold them tight;

Tell them “Everything’s all right -

Tomorrow’s looking bright!”

Take a moment to listen today

To what your children are trying to say;

Listen today, whatever you do

And they will come back to listen to you.

Trust me, a day off with just you and your child is going to be one of the most important investments you can ever make in your life.

(Develop your leadership skills with Francis Kong this May 4-5 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. Call Pam or Krisselle of Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. at 632-6872614 or 09178511115 for further details.)