The greatest gift you will ever receive is that of a child. For most parents once kids enter your life they become the sole priority, as they should. The greatest title one will ever hold is that of mother or father. Being a parent comes with great joy but also great anxiety and frustration. How do we keep them safe? How do we raise them right? How do we navigate their innocence in an increasingly dangerous and immoral world?
When we send our children to school or daycare we assume they are in a safe place where they will learn to become independent and productive members of society. We expect them to learn what schools have taught for generations reading, writing, math, history (yes, even the ugly parts), science etc. We don't expect our children will be indoctrinated with bizarre neoMarxist ideology. We don't expect our children to come home confused, frightened, hating us, hating themselves, or their country. We don't expect our kids to come home wanting to take harmful drugs and cut up their body because their teachers or friends told them to. We don’t expect them to be taught they are racist or inferior because of their skin color. Social media is riddled with accounts from parents about their children being indoctrinated at school and coming home depressed and confused about their gender identity or race. We’ve seen teachers happily state how they go out of their way to recruit students for GSAs (gender and sexuality alliances) and attempt to push ideology onto them, very often without the consent or knowledge of parents.
I remember when I was growing up there was an emphasis on ‘stranger danger’. We were taught never to trust anyway we didn't know and even some that we did know. We were specifically taught that people may try to gain our trust, say they are friends of our parents while attempting to kidnap us. I haven't seen the same emphasis in teaching this to kids, but they are still at the same amount of risk. It's important for children to know that there are bad people out there who will harm them. And it's vital they know that ‘bad people’ do not look a certain way. We cannot tell who means us harm based on how they look. We can't assume people we know whether from school, the neighborhood, and even in some unfortunate cases families are always safe. Sadly, one of the most trusted adults in a kid's life aside from their families, teachers may fall into the ‘bad guy’ category as well. Kids should learn to recognize when someone is trying to harm them not only physically but emotionally as well. And they need to know that this harm can come from anyone, especially from those wearing a smile.
I remember spending quite a bit of time focusing on the harms of drug usage in school. We were told we’d be peer pressured into taking drugs or alcohol. When we see bizarre ideology being pushed in schools, especially on very young children, I am reminded of this peer pressure notion. A child may find himself in a situation where a teacher, school official, or classmate is asking bizarre questions, requesting very private information, discussing inappropriate concepts, and even encouraging risky and unusual behavior. These kids may be encouraged to keep these questions and conversations hidden from parents, which is obviously a HUGE red flag. Parents all over the country are fighting back against this blatant indoctrination. But despite even the best efforts, some teachers are dead set in their goal of harming children and are finding creative ways to introduce these ideas into the curriculum wherever they can. Some parents are taking their kids out of school and homeschooling them. However many do not have this luxury. So what can we parents do to protect our kids from harmful ideology and indoctrination? Below are a few strategies to help our kids fight back when we aren't around.
Kids need to understand that bad people can be anyone and can be anywhere
This message can be given to even very young kids and is very important not just for safeguarding in schools but life in general. Kids can be and are kidnapped. Kids need to know, especially given the ‘we are what we say we are’ messaging that in fact we are NOT always what we say we are! Kids do not innately understand the Orwellian concept of doublethink. Progressives may think when they tell kids they must accept everyone as they are, that kids will understand the nuances of that. They will not! If you tell a child that an obvious man is actually a woman how can you then expect them to understand that obviously friendly person who's smiling and says he's their mom’s friend is actually a bad person meaning them harm? This needs to be brought up early and often with kids. It's especially effective to remind them in real situations where they meet what seems like a friendly person. I always remind my children that person may seem nice but we cannot know for sure if they truly are, so always have your guard up!
Values are taught by parents
It should be made clear to kids that values, particularly those that often come from religion come from the parents. Providing examples to your kids especially those a bit older, think 2nd grade or mature 1st grader and older. Telling kids that any discussion of gender, being anything other than boy/girl, man/woman is against your values. Obviously they should respect ALL others but they do not need to endorse beliefs that are antithetical to their religious or personal beliefs. Even kids have a right to their beliefs and especially to religious beliefs. The state cannot compel kids to use certain pronouns or force kids to accept certain beliefs. Kids need to understand that they can and should reject these beliefs and this is their constitutional right to do so! As Americans we know that diversity is one of our greatest achievements as a people. And we are used to being around different races, sexualities, ethnicities, religions etc. It has been my experience that we are all generally taught to have respect for all people regardless of their differences. Teachers are very familiar providing instruction on different religious and cultural practices in a way that does not endorse beliefs or infringe on the beliefs of others. This is not a new concept! So when teachers are telling students they need to be ‘allies’ to ONE (and it's usually just this one) particular group this is intentional. They are going out of their way to treat ONE group different from every single other group. This is a red flag and kids need to understand it is wrong when they see it.
Kids need to be taught by parents what types of assignments, questions, or discussions are inappropriate to participate in at school
This is critical for kids to understand what specifically they should avoid. Showing examples of worksheets (like the ‘gingerbread person’) or surveys asking for personal info can help them know when to be on guard. If they are presented with these types of assignments they should tell parents right away. And again they should be instructed that they DO NOT need to divulge personal information. Providing them with strategies and responses they can use such as ‘do we have to do this assignment’, ‘I don't feel comfortable doing this’, ‘my parents said I shouldn't need to participate in this’, or the good old fashioned ‘I just don't know’ are great tools for kids to have in their back pocket.
Kids need to feel comfortable coming to their parents with any concerns
Parents, it's vital that kids know they can come to you for everything. This is true of all things, but in these instances it's important to ensure they feel safe coming to you with any concerns or issues that arise in school. Whether they are legitimately confused about their gender, sexuality, race, or religion they should know that no matter what, you will love them and will help them with whatever they may need. I know it's hard especially as they get older and start to engage in risky behavior but I think we can all agree no matter what our children do, even if it were something dangerous or illegal, parents need to know so we can guide them to get through it!
Kids should be taught that diversity exists in many ways
There will be some who live or believe in a lifestyle that you disagree with. This is OK. Some parents will tell children that marriage is between a man and a woman. This is OK. We have religious protections for a reason. We should ALL be respectful to each other regardless of our beliefs and differences but we do not have to buy into another belief set in order to have respect for each other. There are many religions I find very problematic and ridiculous. There are many politics and lifestyles I abhor, but I can still respect and even love those who believe differently from me. I can believe someone is in a cult but still work and even have a friendly relationship with that person. Kids often feel a need to conform and this makes them easy prey for cults. It does require some effort to understand how to respect and be friends with someone who believes something diametrically opposed to your own belief set. With a bit of practice and conversation on your family values, how and why they are so important will help. Ensuring that kids know their beliefs are not ‘wrong’ because all beliefs are subjective is vital.
Parents should make themselves known to teachers and administrators
Even busy parents can email teachers frequently to check in on their child’s progress. Parents need to make a point to schools that even if they are not actively volunteering in the classroom they will be active in their child’s schooling and will make a stink if they believe their kids are being exposed to something they deem inappropriate. Additionally, when parents have a good rapport with teachers, they will be less likely to keep things behind your back. It's important to remember that although we hear so many horrible stories about teachers harming kids, the VAST majority of teachers and administrators are good people who truly care for children. I have been lucky to have been blessed with many excellent teachers and caregivers for my kids. We need to ensure that good teachers are given the respect they deserve and that the ‘groomers’ know they are being watched!
Kids should be taught to be proud to be American
Many places don’t have the freedom we do. Although America isn't perfect (no country is), the USA is the closest thing to perfection. There are few other places to enjoy the freedoms we have. Every single American is so lucky to be in this country. Even the poorest Americans are often better off than the richest people in many countries around the world. We as a people need to learn to be more grateful, as we are not only the most free and prosperous people alive but the freest and most prosperous people who have EVER lived.
We frequently hear the term groomer thrown around, usually from the right aimed at those on the left. There are many definitions of ‘grooming’, here's a good one “when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them.” Whether or not you agree with this definition, grooming does not necessarily mean that any specific groomer is trying to have sex with a specific student. It is the process by which an adult breaks down the child’s boundaries by gaining their trust with the intent to abuse them. Now this may be well meaning, but as we all know the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Although it's hard to know the true motivations of each ‘groomer’, it is likely many of these teachers believe they are somehow protecting marginalized populations.
But no other marginalized populations have EVER received this type of treatment. I don’t recall any other group needing this level of attention, and there are so many groups that are at a MUCH greater risk of harm, bigotry, and discrimination. So we have to wonder why. Why is the LGBT+ group, particularly the trans community the ONLY community that has EVER needed constant attention, affirmation, and capitulation from every other human alive? Why all of a sudden is this the most important population on earth? Only time will tell us the true motivation. But I think many of us are beginning to understand this isn't about identities, self-love, or acceptance. This strange ideology is part of a much bigger push to dramatically change our great nation from one of the most accepting, free, and idealized places on the planet to a sad, authoritarian, dystopian, 1984 style hell.
My Cuban father once told me, before Castro took over the country in 1959, the Cuban people were excited! They thought he was going to expel the corrupt regime and bring prosperity to their nation. They had no idea Castro was a communist until it was too late. At that point anyone who dared to speak out was imprisoned or worse. Those on the political left seem to have lost their way. They seem to have forgotten what is so great about America and have turned into an authoritarian movement dead set on sending us all back hundreds of years. I can't help but be constantly reminded of my father’s words. They didn't know the new regime who promised so much would deliver only misery and suffering. Let's not follow the same fate!