September 26, 2008
One of the tv networks has been promoting this as Stay at Home Week with the hope that people will stay home and watch the premieres of the network’s popular tv shows.  This tag line hit me two ways – first I found it clever from a marketing angle, but then I also found it sad that it basically promotes sitting in front of television set like a couch potato. Sure, a person could argue that Stay at Home Week might promote family time watching tv together, but when I heard about some of the content of the new tv shows—especially those aimed at young people like the new 90210, I certainly hope young children aren’t watching such shows. In an ideal world, family tv watching would center around non-violent and educational programs on history, travel, religion, and clean comedy, if such a thing exists anymore.

This week an initiative called Parent Week is being celebrated in our community. It is a collaborative effort between the Parenting Community Partnership (PCP) and faith communities, schools, government, hospitals and social service agencies. Parent Week programs and activities are designed to recognize and highlight the critical role that parents play in the lives of their children. The week included special prayers and blessings offered for parents, panel discussions among public officials on parental responsibility and the role of government, and a national effort to promote “Eat Dinner Together as a Family” day.  How said is it that we have to have a special day to eat dinner together?  When I was growing up, our family ate together every night—this was normal back in the 1960’s and 70’s. 

Area school kids participated in an essay contest, “Why Your Parents Are Awesome”, a Parent Friendly Workplace Award Presentation was made this week, social service agencies held a conference, “Engaging Parents and Promoting Parent Leadership”, the Toledo Art Museum is encouraging children to make family portraits in their Family Center this month, and several places like the YMCA/JCC Child Development Centers and United Way Family Resource Centers will have special activities to recognize and celebrate parents.

I hope the activities of Parent Week have been successful. There has been such a breakdown of family in our society. I am so grateful for all of the hard work, sacrifices, and love that my parents have given me. Although my Dad died 15 years ago, I think of him every day, and it’s more than once a day.  He was a gentle soul, a generous man, a hardworking factory man for 30 years, and I miss him because I can’t share so much of my life with him.  I am fortunate to still have my Mom, who is a close friend as well as a parent. She is vibrant, beautiful, hardworking and has a great sense of humor. Every day I give thanks to God that she is still with me. I can’t imagine life without her.

I appreciate the celebration of Parent Week this week, but for me, every week is Parent Week, and every day I celebrate my parents.

Sally