As a young parent, I am ashamed to admit that I did not realize the importance of continuing education for my children. My life seemed over-whelmed with just working to help support my family and supplying them with their daily needs. It never really occurred to me at the time when it was most relevant that I should have done more to instill in my children the need for further education beyond their High School graduation.
And I'm sure I wasn't alone as dismal statistics show just how many of our young people today are dropping out of school and never even considering College or University. It took laws to enforce even a High School education or many more young people would be uneducated today, as some parents keep their children in school now only due to threat of jail.
As a child growing up, I wanted to finish High School more than anything that I had ever wanted to do, loving to read and write for as long as I can remember. But College-that was a pipe dream for me. There were eight children in my family and of the eight, only two girls-a younger sister and myself-graduated from High School. Knowing there was no money for college we didn't even bother to consider such an endeavor.
Times have changed, however, and today there are many, many opportunities for young people to go on to get the degrees that will give them a better quality of life. There are grants, government loans, student loans, help for children with disabled or low-income families. The key is for parents to make themselves aware of these aids to get their children into college and get them the help they need while it is available to them.
Parents need to realize that it is their responsibility to prepare their children for continuing education at an early age-the earlier, the better. The importance of focusing on their studies and striving for better and better grades as they move up each year in public school is one source of encouragement needed from a child's parents; otherwise the child may drift through life with no dream or focus to sustain them. And thereby, leading to another generation with the same goals.
Even if you have to sacrifice some of your own free time or personal interests, a parent should show interest in their child's school activities and educational requirements. Help them with their homework, stress the importance of regular study hours at home, and encourage them to ask questions if they aren't sure about a particular problem. Don't make them feel they can never get any better at what they are trying to achieve. Help them to stay focused during study time-leaving television, video games, music, computers, and all other distractions for a later time.
It was mostly luck and their own endeavors that got my three children where they are today. All three were intelligent enough to take it upon themselves to further their education and each has made very good lives for themselves. Sadly, I can take no credit for how well they have done for themselves. I do, however, plan to make amends by helping my grandchildren where I failed my children. Although the most critical years of a child's early schooling are the ninth through the twelfth grades, I have begun to help my grandchildren from the youngest in pre-school to the oldest in the ninth grade. I don't believe help can come too soon for a child's education. If you haven't started now, do so. It is something you will never regret as you watch
your child walk up to that podium to pick up that College degree.
Instill the will.
One excellent source of educational information is a book recently out in print by Rubye Graham-Emerson entitled The Road to a College Education. A wonderful read that I highly recommend.
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