Laguna Hills, CA – While the
entire purpose of this site is to simply share some of the experiences
associated within the family of a professional baseball prospect it is much
more important to note the value of parenthood with this post. Recently it was
brought to attention the staggering statistics associated with children that
have grown up without a Dad here in the United States. The real importance of
being a Dad speaks for itself with the figures provided below. Don’t let our
nation’s children fall as victims to these numbers because of adult’s
unwillingness to be responsible.
Did you know that youth from
fatherless homes account for the following sadness?
63 percent of youth suicides
71 percent of pregnant
teenagers
90 percent of all homeless
and runaway children
70 percent of juveniles in
state-operated institutions
85 percent of all youth
sitting in prison
85 percent of all youth who
exhibit behavior disorders
80 percent of rapists
motivated with displaced anger
71 percent of high school
dropouts
75 percent of all adolescents
in chemical abuse centers
These statistics came from
the Mentoring Project Operations Manual.
It's time Dads come together
to rewrite the fatherless story in our nation!
Although I’m not here to pass
any judgment on anyone and the individual stories associated with their
reasons. I’m also certainly not willing to stand by and let the facts continue
to run out of control without writing about my concerns.
Surely by now you have come
to realize the pride and love I have for my son John Lamb whom happens to be a
professional baseball player with the Kansas City Royals organization. I share
the very same feelings for my daughter Cayla despite the severe challenges our
relationship has endured. Both Cayla and I were forced to have absence in each other’s
lives for almost 16 years thanks to her Mother’s ugly demands. Luckily my son
was chosen by the Royals in the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player
Draft and before the end of that same summer I was served papers to appear in
court for child support on the balance of Cayla’s minor years. Ironic maybe but
there are no regrets for my personal demands to remain on her birth records back
in 1994, despite the opposite requests from her Mother. Yet another great opportunity
that evolved from my son’s draft selection to play professional baseball. A perfect
chance to reunite with my other child, whom I missed more than she will ever
realize, came from my son’s ability to play baseball.
John at Royals Spring Training complex!
My daughter Cayla and her dog!
Children need their parents
and based on the statistics noted above there just might be some undeniable
value with the Dad staying involved. I can’t erase the years I lost with my
daughter but I have mad myself available ever since being served legal demands
of my ex-wife suddenly changing her mind. The real importance of being a Dad is
much deeper than money and I envy anyone that has the opportunity to be involved
with their children. I had that chance with my son, lost the chance with my
daughter, but there is no excuse good enough to not be a available and love your
children.
