Students Rising Above

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)

Sometimes we look down at people younger than us. I have heard statements like "I know because I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice" from parents to their kids.

Other times, we look at people in hardship and assume they could never make it. Personally, I like "against all odds" type of stories. That's why I enjoy watching "Students Rising Above" news stories and specials on KRON 4. The series feature low income, at-risk Bay Area kids who are overcoming tremendous obstacles (e.g. living in poverty, without parents, being homeless, and raising siblings). All of them want to go to college. Check them out.

Next time when your children tell you they hate school, calm down. Instead of scolding them, or just talking about how hard it was for you when you were young, gently show them stories of these real students who are motivated to grow and learn. May be you can be proactive and share these kinds of modern day real stories with your children. Count your blessings and design a plan to help one of these students in needs.

Copyright © 2006 Winnis Chiang, Parenting ABC