The Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cites
Alexis R. Weber-Waltz, Second Place
Grade 7, Coastal Christian School
Teacher: Misty Sano Principal: Larry Hoekman
In today’s society, divorce is becoming a normal thing of life. Married couples are getting divorced because of many different reasons. Most divorces have children that are really young and because of their age they don’t really understand what is going on or how to deal with the situation. Many children of divorce have a harder time in certain areas of their life, whether it be academically or behavioral problems. Children will, in some way, suffer from the loss of their parents’ relationship and there will be a loss. My question is: “Can children of divorce be as well rounded and adjusted in life, as children with both parents together and married?”
I want to test this subject further with the Rotary 4-Way Test. Is it the TRUTH? Answering this question, I believe the answer is yes. I am a child of divorce and I feel that I have been given the best start in life with all the opportunities that were given to me. My mother raised me without my father starting at the age of 5. My mother is very close to her parents and we spend a lot of time with them. Looking back, I see now that my grandfather became my father figure. That is Truth.
Is this FAIR to all concerned? My grandfather is a gracious and godly man. He showed grace by trying to insert himself more into my life because I was lacking a male influence in my life. I wasn’t always appreciative of him or of my grandparents for the things they did for me, but as I have gotten older I have recognized all the things they have done for me. When my mother had to work late, my grandfather was the one who would pick me up from school and would take me to my after school activities.
Will this build GOOD WILL and better FRIENDSHIPS? I believe it will. I am very close to my mother and my grandparents. I believe because of my mother’s sacrifices and my grandparents willing to step in and fill the gaps our relationship will continue to grow and get stronger. I am excelling in school and am a straight “A” student. I have been exposed to many different extracurricular activities like piano, horse back riding, swimming, golf, and youth group. I am making long lasting friendships and am learning so much about myself and different things. All of this will help me as I get older and become an adult.
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? I am a child of divorce and I believe that I have been given all the opportunities and possibly even more to be able to grow and develop myself to be the best I can be. I have my mother, grandparents, and God to lean on and to thank for being on my side. My mother didn’t allow her divorce to separate herself away from God. My mother showed me that God’s love speaks more powerfully than words. Divorce is painful but the experience is different for everyone. The way my mother has raised me is a lot like what it says in the Bible verses Ephesians 6: 1-4 and 5: 25-33: “Parents represent in a priestly and prophetic way, for good or ill, Christ’s attitude toward their children”. “This reality happens not only in the direct relationship of parent-to-child, but in an exemplary and indirect way in the public, parent-to-parent relationship lived before the eyes of the child “. If all parents let go of the pain and hurt and focused on the most important aspect of the family that was affected by it, the children, I believe healing would happen faster and children would have a better chance in their life.
No comments yet.