Rewrite the Stars
If some kids could change their destiny, many would wish they weren't born to certain parents. If those parents knew what was in stock for them before they were born, they'd probably beg not to be born. When Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote the song, “Rewrite the Stars”, they certainly did not have kids in mind. But how do we rewrite the stars for the kids who have been born into a dysfunctional home or environment?
As a teacher, I come across children from different cultural backgrounds and one thing resonates with each one of them - That desire to be seen, loved and cared for. That's what childhood innocence is all about.
When it comes to exposure, many kids are not innocent anymore and this is a flaw in the society they find themselves in. Many kids have been unduly integrated into an adult world of responsibility, carnal knowledge and undue exposure to the complexities of technology yet in their exposed minds, there is always that longing to be a child - a longing to be seen, loved and taken care of as children.
It is a communal duty to care for children irrespective of who they are. As it is in the Yoruba adage that, “ A person births a child but the community raises the child”, every adult has the task of raising children by guiding them right.
“Why would I raise another person's child?”, the question persists. Well if you don't make an effort in helping that child, that child might raise your kids in school, or be your kid's future spouse or work with your kids as colleagues in an office. It's a merry-go-round process. Even if you do not end up with kids, that child you ignored might be the terror that would steal your sleep. Would you rather not save your sleep tomorrow by doing the needful today?
“Agba kí wá l'oja, kí orí ọmọ titun wọ” ìs THE Yoruba Way of saying that the experience of the elders in a society should be a guide for the children. It is the common responsibility of every adult to train a child. It could be by correcting a wrong, scolding lovingly, giving a smile, a sincere hug, or any little help we can offer to make them be seen, loved and cared for.
It's never too late to Rewrite the Stars of these little ones but if we don't, we will be faced with bigger challenges than what the society is facing at the moment.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
As a teacher, I come across children from different cultural backgrounds and one thing resonates with each one of them - That desire to be seen, loved and cared for. That's what childhood innocence is all about.
When it comes to exposure, many kids are not innocent anymore and this is a flaw in the society they find themselves in. Many kids have been unduly integrated into an adult world of responsibility, carnal knowledge and undue exposure to the complexities of technology yet in their exposed minds, there is always that longing to be a child - a longing to be seen, loved and taken care of as children.
It is a communal duty to care for children irrespective of who they are. As it is in the Yoruba adage that, “ A person births a child but the community raises the child”, every adult has the task of raising children by guiding them right.
“Why would I raise another person's child?”, the question persists. Well if you don't make an effort in helping that child, that child might raise your kids in school, or be your kid's future spouse or work with your kids as colleagues in an office. It's a merry-go-round process. Even if you do not end up with kids, that child you ignored might be the terror that would steal your sleep. Would you rather not save your sleep tomorrow by doing the needful today?
“Agba kí wá l'oja, kí orí ọmọ titun wọ” ìs THE Yoruba Way of saying that the experience of the elders in a society should be a guide for the children. It is the common responsibility of every adult to train a child. It could be by correcting a wrong, scolding lovingly, giving a smile, a sincere hug, or any little help we can offer to make them be seen, loved and cared for.
It's never too late to Rewrite the Stars of these little ones but if we don't, we will be faced with bigger challenges than what the society is facing at the moment.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
