A Parent’s Pledge

by Tammy Drennan

Last updated April 9, 2007

 

We, your parents, pledge to you, our precious child and gift from God, the following:

Physical Needs

So you’ll never feel want or neglect, we’ll provide you with good food, a warm home, the best clothes, and plenty of toys and entertainment.

Spiritual Needs

So you’ll grow up to love God and serve Him, so you’ll understand the meaning of life and your role in the world, we’ll take you to church every week.

Educational Needs

So you’ll learn how to read well and to love the written word that will open all doors to you, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn to think and reason clearly, based on principle and truth, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn intellectual rigor and independence, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn to put pen to paper and express your thoughts and your knowledge, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn the big events from history and their meaning for those who lived through them and for us today, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn the wonder of God’s creation and how it works, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn the great works of literature and how they reflect life and human nature, and the lessons they hold for us, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn to understand the world mathematically and gain the skills to run your own affairs, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn the principles of good government and the dangers of unchecked power, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn the meaning of freedom and the means to secure and preserve it, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn what it means to be a good citizen, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn what constitutes great art and music, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

So you’ll learn the functions of your body and how to keep healthy and strong, we’ll commit you to the care of the state.

Social Needs

So you’ll learn good manners and social graces, we’ll commit you to the care of your peers.

So you’ll learn kindness, empathy and love, so you’ll learn to walk in another’s shoes before judging, we’ll commit you to the care of your peers.

So you’ll learn respect for people of all ages, all abilities and all backgrounds, we’ll commit you to the care of your peers.

So you’ll learn to communicate effectively, to resolve conflicts peaceably and to work well with others, we’ll commit you to the care of your peers.

So you’ll learn how to conduct yourself in courtship and then in marriage, we’ll commit you to the care of your peers.

So you’ll learn how to stand for your beliefs in the face of opposition or temptation, we’ll commit you to the care of your peers.

Emotional/Psychological Needs

So you’ll learn to respect yourself and understand your value as a human being, we’ll commit you to the care of your peers.

So you’ll learn to control anger and passion, we’ll commit you to the care of your peers.

So you’ll understand love and friendship, we’ll commit you to the care of your peers.

Summary/Disclaimer

 

Our confidence in the state and in your peers to ensure your healthy growth, intellectually, socially and emotionally, is boundless, else we would not have so committed you, but should you fall prey to intellectual, social, or emotional dysfunction . . .

We hereby disclaim any responsibility, as we have paid our taxes to the government system to address these areas of your life.

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 This article is copyrighted by the Alliance for the Separation of School & State. Permission is granted to freely distribute this article as long as this copyright notice is included in its entirety.