Protect Your Right to Parent Your Children

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** Though we do not usually post on issues of a political nature, this cannot be ignored. Hearing news of this issue today, we could not ignore the compelling to post about it. We implore you to take time to read this, pass it on (you are free to repost the entirety of this entry as it appears without any copyright infringement issues) and take action! We as parents must cry out in protection of our innate Parental Rights. **

Protect Your Right to Parent Your Children

In 1925, the Supreme Court declared that "the child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations." (Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510)

This right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is one that has been protected in the U.S. for decades, and it is a right that any parent knows is fundamentally innate. The government should not be allowed to usurp our right to raise our children as we see fit (except in the obvious case of abuse or neglect, wherein the government would be interceding to protect the child from proven harm). Unfortunately though, parental rights are coming under serious attack. Our federal court system has an increasing low view of parental rights. (Click here for an article that gives more information on this topic and cites specific court cases sadly showing blatant disregard for parents' rights.)

But the war waging within our nation's borders is just part of the story. Currently, the UN is seeking to ratify the The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). According to ParentalRights.org, this treaty, if made binding upon our country, would give the government the power to intervene in a child's life to advance "the best interests of the child." Though it sounds harmless, it sets the stage for some truly frightening scenarios. ParentalRights.org states that instead of following due process, the treaty would give government agencies the right to "override your parental choices at their whim because they would determine what is in 'the best interest of the child.'" What this means is that the government would have a long-arm parental reach into your home; rather than you having the right to decide what's in the best interest of your child, that right would now fall to the government. (For more information on the treaty, click here.)

What might this treaty look like in action? If you spank you child, you could be deemed an unfit parent and have your child removed from your custody. If you homeschool your children, homeschooling could be considered an act that is not in the best interest of the children, and you could be demanded to put them in a formal education system or risk losing custody of them. If you require your children to attend church, and they hear messages contrary to popular, societal beliefs, the children's church involvement could be considered harmful to their development, and you could be demanded to cease their church attendance or risk losing custody ... and the list goes on. The potential ramifications of this treaty are truly frightening! And as any parent who has borne children knows, it refutes the innate right of a parent to raise their child as they see fit.

In response to this threat, a Parental Rights Amendment has been proposed that would ensure the protection of the right of parents to raise their children. Only a constitutional amendment will supersede international law that seeks to undermine parents' rights. According to ParentalRights.org, an amendment is "the only comprehensive response to the attack on parental rights across our nation." (Click here to view the draft text for the amendment.)

Frankly, this is an issue that we as parents cannot ignore! Take time today to get involved ... Educate yourself on the topic, make others aware of the threat, and take action. ParentalRights.org is the best place to start. With a host of resources as well as links on how to join the fight, they're our best defense against this threat. If you click on "How Can I Help?" and then select "Take Action at the National Level" you will be provided with information on how to contact your state senators and representatives to urge them to support either House Joint Resolution 42, the Parental Rights Amendment (House version) or Senate Joint Resolution 16, the Parental Rights Amendment (Senate version). It doesn't take much time to contact them, and our voices must ring loudly on this matter! While you're at ParentalRights.org, take a moment to read a couple of the staff articles. The content will astound you! You can also become a citizen co-sponsor of the amendment by clicking here.

Again, this is a battle that we must engage! We cannot afford to stand on the sidelines while our parental rights are deliberately usurped. Please join us in this fight! Contact your government representatives, make others aware and pray for a hedge protection around parents and this country. We must fight for the protection of our freedoms. For as Ronald Reagan said, "Freedome is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

Haiti Relief

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Today's entry isn't a typical Mom's Dish post, but if you're anything like us, you have Haiti on your mind. As I sat and watched a quick newscast today, I saw a woman who had lost four of her five children in the earthquake. She then lost her fifth child at the hospital. I sat and cried for her. I can't imagine the unspeakable pain of such searing loss. Pray for those in Haiti, especially the parents who now have to move on after the loss of a child or children.

And if your circumstances allow, give to a reputable relief organization. My husband and I have been partnering with the child-sponsorship organization, Compassion, for several years now. They make a significant, tangible difference in the lives of poverty-stricken children all over the globe. The organization, which has many church-based child-development centers in Haiti, has set up a relief fund for Haitian children and families. To donate to the relief fund, click here, or visit www.compassion.com and click on one of the many Haiti relief tabs. All funds will go directly to the aid of Haitian victims.

Domestic Ease

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I am excited to announce that Beginning Feb 1, I will be a contributor to an exciting new web site, DomesticEase.com, your source for all things domestic. Whatever you fancy with regards to your nest, we'll have it all, as well as creative activities to do with your family. So log on, bookmark the site and pass the word! We hope you'll be as enthused and inspired by it as we are!

Starbucks Snack-Fulls

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I popped into Starbucks yesterday and was delightfully surprised to discover Snack-Fulls. Their new snack option is perfect for moms on the go who need a quick bite to quench their little one's roaring tummies. Snack-Fulls are packaged in a charming kid-friendly box and come with raisins, organic apple slices, a mozzarella cheese stick and Annie's Bunny Grahams (one of my son's personal favorites). The snack is full of the good stuff and void of any artificial colors, flavors or high-fructose corn syrup. Priced at $3.45, they're just another reason our love affair with the can't-resist-it coffee shop continues.

Finally ... A Multitasking Baby Carrier

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I must admit, I cannot take credit for this find. I discovered it while reading a post by Esther over at Babyccino Kids--they're listed in our surfing links, and it's a super-fun site from mums across the big pond. This product was so fabulous though, that I had to make mention of it.

The organic ERGObaby carrier is perhaps the most versatile baby carrier I've yet to see. My husband and I toted our little one around in a sling (OK, he never wore the sling ... just me) and a Baby Bjorn. We loved the Bjorn, but our little one outgrew it quickly, and it was often inconvenient because it couldn't be used as a back carrier (try walking a mile out to a lighthouse on giant granite rocks with a baby carrier in front that makes it nearly impossible to see your next step). The ERGObaby carrier eliminates all those frustrations! The carrier can transition from front to hip to back carrier. It fits frames from five feet all the way up to six feet, five inches, and it is recommended for children up to 40 pounds (it has been tested all the way up 90 pounds, but I don't know a soul who would lug around a 90-pound child). Infant inserts are also available, which means you can happily tote your little one from birth until a few years old.

The organic cotton is certified 100 percent organic and is available in eight colors. Standard non-organic carriers are also available, but we think the softness of organic cotton is incomparable.

For more information, head on over to www.ergobabycarrier.com.