Responsible parenting, responsible adults.

[JohnH]

An ethnic German Kazakh family left Norway and attended my congregation for about a year for that reason, although I think they were somewhat paranoid about the social service agencies. Among other things, they told us that Bank of America gets a fee for each child placed into foster care in Norway, which seems like a bit of a stretch - but who knows.

[Ken]

An ethnic German Kazakh family left Norway and attended my congregation for about a year for that reason, although I think they were somewhat paranoid about the social service agencies. Among other things, they told us that Bank of America gets a fee for each child placed into foster care in Norway, which seems like a bit of a stretch - but who knows.

It is highly plausible that the budgets of social service agencies depend on the number of children in their care. And that they manage said funds in commercial banks and commercial banks are used to distribute state funds to foster parents. The same exact thing happens here in the US. If you are a foster parent and getting state reimbursement the funds pass through commercial banks who likely extract fees for that service.

That doesn't seem nefarious. What seems nefarious is removing children from families for spurious reasons (for example, if the family isn't breaking the law but simply not living according to dominant cultural mores), and then making it impossible to get them back.

[temporal1]

Please make an attempt to acknowledge the OP: HOMESTEAD

This thread is to share ideas about what responsible parents and adults can do to guide children, teens and young adults in this hyper-hyper world. Esp regarding neutralizing damage from hyper litigious, hyper sexualized, hyper violent, hyper political, hyper divisive aspects.

For many, choosing home school, private schools, faith based schools, are essential.
Not all have those options, not all want to avoid public schools.

This thread can include any/all school choices.
The emphasis is not on school choice - but the everyday choices+interactions that add up and mean so much over time.
The “small things.”

All parents “home school,” whether they realize it or not.
All parents have God-designed influence in their children’s lives. (Seek to use it for good!)

What are you getting right?
What do you admire in others?

There is no perfect political system or world. Not looking for that in this topic.

This topic is about EXAMPLES OF PARENTS GETTING IT RIGHT, in spite of life on earth.

[temporal1]

2026 Dr Ben Carson / Re: Responsible parenting, responsible adults.

Music to my ears.

Dr Ben Cardon with Delano Squires / “Why America’s Family Breakdown Can’t Be Ignored” / 43+min

Delano Squires joins Dr. Ben Carson to discuss his new book, The Vanishing Black Family, and the hard truths behind America’s family crisis.

In this conversation, Dr. Carson and Delano examine why family breakdown cannot be explained by economics alone, how fatherlessness affects children, why marriage and fatherhood matter, and what churches, communities, schools, and cultural leaders can do to rebuild strong families.

This episode explores:
• Why family formation is central to a healthy society
• The impact of fatherlessness on children
• Why Delano Squires believes the crisis is spiritual and cultural, not merely economic
• How welfare policy, feminism, and popular culture reshaped views on marriage and family
• Why the Black family crisis should concern all Americans
• The role of churches, HBCUs, mentors, fathers, and community leaders in restoring marriage
• What future generations need from us now
Strong families build strong communities. Strong communities build a strong nation. .. ..

Timestamps
0:07 – The Vanishing Black Family: The Crisis America Won’t Face
2:12 – The Family Crisis Isn’t Really About Money
3:19 – How Two-Parent Homes Protect Kids from a Broken Culture
5:20 – The Pain of Growing Up Without a Father at Home
8:04 – Did Feminism Make Marriage Optional?
11:43 – Welfare, Culture, and the Rise of “I Don’t Need a Man”
15:31 – Why the Black Family Crisis Is a Warning for All of America
17:21 – Why Leaders Stay Silent About the Family Breakdown
23:32 – A Biblical Blueprint to Rebuild Marriage and Family
29:04 – Restoring Marriage for Working-Class Families
30:11 – Why Black Christian Conservatives Face So Much Pushback
32:46 – Dr. Carson: Common Sense Is Easy. Courage Is Rare.
35:55 – Children Pay the Price for Adult Decisions
37:47 – Dr. Carson’s Message to Men: Step Up for Fatherless Kids
40:07 – Final Charge: Go Home and Love Your Family

Dr Ben Carson has such a quiet approachable presence.

[temporal1]

Tyrus+Byron, two men talking about being husbands+fathers.
In ways i think Dr Ben Carson (above) would appreciate. Presence.

PlanetTyrus / Byron Donalds Opens Up About Growing Up Without a Father / 16+min

Congressman Byron Donalds joins Tyrus for a candid conversation about fatherhood, family, and the life lessons that shaped him into the man he is today. From growing up without a father to raising three sons of his own, Donalds shares why being present matters more than anything else. This heartfelt discussion is packed with wisdom on parenting, discipline, and building a lasting legacy.

i’m hoping Byron Donalds will be governor of Florida.