Synthesis Essay : "The Most Powerful ? a Parent Can Ask and Be-ers and Dores"

The two passages "The Most Powerful Question A parent Can Ask...", by Neil Millar, and "Be-ers and Doers", by Budge Wilson, both have a different approach on how children are raised. "The Most Powerful Question A parent Can Ask..." expresses a more respectful way of raising their child than "Be-ers and Doers".


In Millar's text, "The Most Powerful Question A Parent Can Ask...", points out a very simple but difficult question: "What kind of children do we want to raise?" Most likely we would respond that we "want to raise well-rounded, confident, considerate children that show gratitude..." There is no such thing a manual for children on how to raise them. Parents should think of how they would want to be treated, with respect, and how that child will treat his/her surroundings as well as themselves. No child should get away with doing "nothing" but instead help out the parents that may feel, "[t]ired. Sometimes defeated [,] and....unappreciated.." Out of the two pieces, "The Most Powerful Question A Parent Can Ask..." takes the most respectful approach to successfully raise their children. "Begin by directing your child to take on small tasks.." such as: taking out the trash, sweeping the floor, or maybe pick up some dirty laundry, can show a more durable relationship with Mom and Dad to the child, by working together. By the child helping with little tasks around the house creates a less stressful environment for both parents and kids. Maybe "[g]ive them a hug for their help and they might do even more!" Children are capable of doing work no matter what is has to do with, that is not too much to ask. "A Massai tribe leader appointed a seven year-old as the person in charge of two-thirds of his village's wealth." This girl took on a duty that was much more complicated than the average household kid. They should be thankful they are only asked to just mow a loan, or wash their laundry!! Children need to have strong parents who work with the child and not against like the Mother in the story, "Be-ers and Do-ers". "The Most Powerful Question A Parent Can Ask..." clearly shows more respectful approach to parent their children.

Secondly, the story, "Be-ers and Do-ers" depicts a different way of parenting that is not the most respectful approach to a child's needs. By the Mom having a ferm belief Albert was going to be a "do-er" and not a "be-er" made her feel she was going to have a son that will be the best at everything. The Mother new, from the start, "that Albert was going to be the perfect son." "That meant, among other things, that he was going to be a fast-moving doer." Believing this, she wanted him to be something that he was not destine to be,"[and] Albert was a be-er. Born that way." The Mother made a simple choice for what Albert was suppose to be like, causing some potential damage to their future relationship as Mother and Son. Albert's Mother didn't know that the "[o]ne thing Albert was good at, though, was English class." Albert was happy with who he is and at the age of fifteen, he chose to admire his father. Alber "[could not] see [any] sense in workin' hard at something [he will] never use." Albert wanted to believe what he chose. Three years later, there was a tragic fire at their house. Albert managed to save everyone from the bruises and burns by risking his own life. He took a sense of leadership and spontaneously cooked up a fantastic plan to rescue the family and distinguish the fire. After saving his family Alber finally stood up to his Mom and said "things [he] shoulda tole [her] years gone by. I ain't gunna be what you want." "..... I'm gunna be me." This story clearly shows this is not the most respectful approach to parent.

In both the passages "The Most Powerful Question A Parent Can Ask..." and "Be-ers and Do-ers" clearly show different approachs in parenting skills. The most respectful parenting shown of the two passages is "The Most Powerful Question A Parent Can Ask..." showing the best approach with the child and working with them not against them.