Martin Luther King~The Dad
I am addicted to biographies and reading how famous people parent and what becomes of thier children. For instance, Gandhi had strict moral character and championed abstinence. He stands apart as self-sacrificing for his beliefs. Albert Einstein called him, "A role model for the generations to come." Yet, in his own family, his eldest son rebelled against everything his father believed in and became a gambling alcoholic!
Nelson Mandela always appeared genuine to me. I was disappointed to hear his oldest daughter, Dr. Makaziew or Maki, shared that he had been distant and aloof to his children. She, along with her brothers, never knew him intimately. He had spent so many years in prison and seperated from his family that she longed to love and be loved upon his release. But sadly that never happened. Maki said, "He should have created some space for the family, for his children. We were ignored, or at least not acknowledged, while he was preoccupied with politics."
It was a big relief to me when I read about Martin Luther King's parenting. His image is so fixated in our minds as a man of great passion and conviction, it would have been disappointing to hear that he had lived differently in the home.
Martin Luther King III, the oldest of the three surviving children, shared how his dad spent time with him in the midst of his pursuits. "We tossed the football in our front yard; we would ride bicycles; we would play baseball from time to time. In his suit and his shoes and his shirt, he would maybe loosen his tie and...we just played." He went on to share how his dad engaged him about the civil rights struggle in terms he could understand. He was just 10 years old when he heard the horrific news on TV about his dad being shot, but has stayed the course his father began.
Martin Luther King did not need a lifetime to make an impact on his son, he just needed a life that was indelible and authentic.
Bring it Home
Are there any guarantees that the investment you make as a parent will make an impact on your child? No, sadly, it is not 100%. However, there are several studies that indicate 83% adopt the values of thier parents. Be sure to check out the resources we offer and know that it is never too early to invest in your child. Let's get started!
