Our government and yes, I mean our government, is trying to find any way that it can to say that they can do a better job of raising our children! “I am so angry, I could just spit!” as my grandfather would say. In another attempt to tell us how to raise our children, a new legislation is on the table that would prohibit children for doing farming chores on their family’s farm, on their own land, if the government deems it hazardous. Here is the link to the article: Child Labor Laws | Farming | Department of Labor | The Daily Caller.
Everyone should and must read this! “Why? I don’t own a farm, so it doesn’t pertain to me,” you might say. But it does pertain to you! This bill could and will affect every farmer you know; from the family that sells its eggs, veggies, and meats at the local farmers market to the slightly bigger local farms that supply your local grocery store. These wouldn’t and can’t survive without the help of their children unless they make millions and I don’t know any farmers that do.
What concerns me besides the effect that this will have on family farms, is the potential reach it could have elsewhere. We have a “City Farm”. By that I mean we live in our tiny town’s city limits and we have a garden and will be getting chickens at some point soon. This is my 13-year-old daughter’s dream to have chickens. But they are a type of livestock and produce a raw product and so does my garden. Will the government step in at some point and say that my children shouldn’t be working in the garden or taking care of the chickens? What about using the lawn mower or power tools here around my home? What about my oldest daughter’s best friend that wants to show animals as a way of helping her pay for college? What about her friends that show horses or grow that prize-winning giant pumpkin?
There’s also an undercurrent of constantly wanting to undermine parents at every turn with this administration. Be it, the way we eat or what our children can do on our own family farms, they are constantly trying to tell us how to parent. When will everyone stand up and say, “Enough!” “Get off my land and leave my family alone!” God gave me my children to raise as I see fit, not as my government sees fit. It is my job to teach them to handle responsibility, perseverance, hard work and how to handle adversity. God also gave us the animals and the land for us to take care of. How are we supposed to honor God’s directive if our government takes it away from us? They will be robbing kids of so many things if this passes.
Do we really want another generation of kids that will be even more dependent on the government for handouts because they are lazy? And what will happen to the farms when there is no one to inherit them because their children were not able to be taught to farm? That’s right! We’ll have government ran farms and there will be no more family farms! And you won’t have wonderful days like these; where my husband got to teach our future farmer how to drive a tractor for the first time!
I love the look on her face here as she listens to her dad.
That look of pride is worth more than I can say!
Think about what she’s learning and what your children are learning. Do you really want the government to take that away and tell you how to raise your children?
You must watch Glenn Beck’s monologue about this. It’s in two parts so watch both.
Greta Van Susteren’s Interview: Greta Van Susteren
Please contact Congress and let them know how you feel. You can read the full proposed legislation with the changes here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-09-02/pdf/2011-21924.pdf
I was shocked reading this. Children in farm families seems to learn responsibility, work ethic, compassion, among many other things quicker then most…This would be so unfair in so many ways!
You’re so right! I just can’t imagine a world where you can’t teach your children those things. It’s sparked a lot of anger in people everywhere. I’ve heard that they may have tabled it for now due to so many people being upset. I hope so. I’ll update when I confirm it. Thanks so much for stopping by, come and soon 🙂
Good news!! This has been defeated/withdrawn thanks to the efforts of the American Farm Bureau Federation!
Good to know! Thank you for sharing!
You’re right! I need to post an update as soon as I can find the link. I’ll check with the American Farm Bureau Federation. Thanks for letting me know. Great news!!!! Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by 🙂