PEACE-TEACHING PARENTING PLEDGE
Peace-teaching parenting for a peaceful society

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I PLEDGE to teach children how to be kind and caring in their interactions with others. I will notice and correct instances of unkindness including nasty name-calling, bigotry, hitting, and bullying. I will teach children to notice and correct unkindness among siblings or peers.

I PLEDGE to teach children to persistently search for peaceful ways to address problems. I recognize that these teachings begin with my own behavior. I will, therefore, find peaceful ways to address any behavioral or other problem that I may have with my child.

I PLEDGE never to resort to physically aggressive discipline, including all variations of hitting, spanking, smacking, whipping, or mouth-burning. I will never threaten my children with physical aggression. I will not call children nasty names such as “bad” or “stupid,” as I recognize that words may also cause harm.

I PLEDGE that I will recognize the many other ways that I am teaching either peace or violence. In choosing to teach peace, I will not provide pretend weapons, violent music, war games, violent computer games, or violent media to children. When judging the merit of any particular item, I will simply ask: “Is this teaching peace or teaching violence?” or “Is this causing children to practice peacemaking or to practice violence?” I will not merely ask, “Is this really going to do that much harm?” We must do much more than “not cause much harm.” We must proactively cause and create peace.

I PLEDGE to practice peace everyday and in every way I can. I understand that it is the moment-to-moment practice of peace that truly teaches the lesson of peace. I will remember to sit and breathe and smile together with my children as I look into their eyes and feel love.

______At present, I do not directly care for children but I have signed this pledge in my role as a parent to society’s children.

Written by Cheryl Landy, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist. Please join in helping to create a new societal standard for the practice of peace, and, a new societal standard for the treatment of children. Invite key persons of influence to parents, such as religious and educational leaders, as well as family practitioners and pediatricians, to post this Pledge and to advocate for peace-teaching parenting. Contact DrLandy@bellsouth.net/305.666.3497 for no-fee supportive educational papers. Contact www.StopHitting.org and www.epochnz.virtualave.net for peaceful discipline alternatives. Contact www.gandhiinstitute.org for peace-teaching support. This document may be copied in its entirety without permission.
Copyright 2000 Cheryl Landy