I Am a Child … I Did Not Ask to Be Born but I’m Here …

© 2019 Catherine Smith Robinson, MEd. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/27/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-2155-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-2154-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019911003

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This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Public Domain

Contents

Acknowledgments

A Tribute to My Mother

I Am A Child … I Did Not Ask to Be Born But I’m Here …

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Blood of America’s Children

The Cry of a Generation

The Rejected One

Somebody’s Crying

What Child Is This?

God’s Gift to Parents

Mistaken Identity

Enough Is Enough!

Chapter 2 A House Is Not a Home

A War Zone

At Risk Sitters

Who’s Winning the War?

Gangs

Drugs

Teen Pregnancy

Date Rape

Smoking

A Tug of War

Home Alone

Latchkey Children

Latchkey Preparation

Latchkey Basic Rules

Chapter 3 Judge Yourself

Don’t Bully Me!

Watch Your Words!

Watch Your Words Scripture Study Guide

A Communication Questionnaire

Love/Hate Relationship

Take a Look in the Mirror

Microwave Parenting

Parenting Self-Examination Question

Judge Yourself Questionnaire

On a scale from one to ten, list your priorities.

The Parenting Spiritual Test

Judge Yourself Parenting Principles

Chapter 4 Save Our Children

The High Calling of Parenthood

Train a Child

Don’t Preach a Sermon; Be a Sermon

Parents Mentoring Children

What’s Love Got to Do with Children?

Chapter 5 Abuse: A Child’s Worst Enemy

Sexual Abuse

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Prevention Tips for Child Abuse

Chapter 6 A Fatherless Generation

Types of Fathers

Where Are the Fathers?

Dad, Don’t Divorce Your Children

Turning the Hearts of the Fathers to the Children

The Father’s Questionnaire

Chapter 7 Family Restoration

Forgive Our Sins

Restore Our Children!

A Healing Heart

Keys to Having a Healthy Family

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

About the Author

Acknowledgments

I would like to honor the Lord Jesus Christ for the ability to write my first book. If it had not been for him, this journey wouldn’t have been completed. I give thanks to him for all of the blessings he has bestowed upon me.

Grace and honor to Michelle Washington for her obedience to God in writing the poem I Am A Child … I Did Not Ask to Be Born But I’m Here … She wrote it on behalf of my mission in life to save our children. God had a special purpose for it, and neither of us had a clue at the time you gave me a copy of your rough draft twenty-one years ago. I pray that this poem will always bless your life and many others.

Jackie Cleveland, my forever friend, you are my Christian sister. Motivation is one of your gifts. When you told me to stay focused, I knew that I had to keep moving forward. As you prepare for your move thousands of miles away, always remember we will be forever friends.

My special appreciation to Louise Laron for your faith in me. You believed in my gift as a first-time author and did the unexpected. Before my book was published, you purchased the first copy. Thank you for having faith in my destiny. I pray this book will be a blessing to you and to your family.

A Tribute to My Mother

My mother was a faithful woman of God and the most beautiful and wonderful parent a child could have. My words can’t express the love and care that I experienced from her love and kindness. She was a Proverbs 31 virtuous mother, and she took care of her family in excellence. Her children were so precious to her, and I have felt the power of her love each and every day of my life. My mother planted the seed of God in the hearts of her children and was a powerful advocate of education. Out of seven children, five completed college or above.

She was an awesome woman of God and an extraordinary mother. I never heard her complain. The words she spoke were words of kindness, love, and peace. She was the closest person that exemplified the character and integrity of Christ in my life. What a true blessing my mother was to me. I didn’t have to look outside my home for a role model. My mother was a role model I could trust because I saw her lifestyle in living color every day. She has truly made a difference in my life.

"I Am A Child … I Did Not Ask to

Be Born But I’m Here …"

I am a child. I did not ask to be born, but I’m here. I need love, peace, and understanding. I need goodness, kindness, and support from those who care.

My feelings are colorless. They do not know racial boundaries. My needs are inborn. They came with me from my mother’s womb.

I need to be heard.

I need to be held.

I need to be hugged.

I need to be honored without condition.

—Michelle L. Washington

Copyright 1998

Introduction

Parenting is not an easy job. It’s not for everyone! There are no real manuals for parenting; however, there are many helpful resources to assist parents with raising their children. Parenting presents many issues and concerns of life. There is a need for parents to get in deeper touch with the emotional and mental state of children. I felt this need daily working with children and parents very closely as a teacher in both private and public schools.

I am the mother of three blessed adult children Casper Jr., Crissi, and Creshawn. My awesome grandsons Bruce and Cayson are my greatest joy. The experiences raising three children made me more compassionate toward parents. Working with children and parents for almost fifty years as a teacher, minister, and a CEO of a children and youth organization, I understand the highs and lows of parenting. When I gave my heart to the Lord, I got my greatest revelation about children and parenting.

God is the creator of life, and children are extremely precious to him. He wants parents to love and nurture their children and to accept them unconditionally. Children depend on their parents for all of their needs. The Lord inspired me that parents are a very important part of the success of their children. I encouraged parents to mentor their own children.

This book is a wake-up call to parents. Children don’t ask to be born. To have and raise children is a very sacrificial journey. Much prayer and deep consideration needs to be made in deciding to become a parent. Hopefully, for those who are parents, this