The thing I cherish most in this world is my family. A mother of three boys, each one of my children is uniquely different. When they were young children, I loved to observe them in different environments.

Exposed to an open field, all three would take off and run. The whole world seemed large, open, and exposed to them. Filled with endless possibilities, they were free to discover the whole world at large. Like an artist with a blank canvas. With endless possibilities, it sure could be a pretty picture.

Living in Switzerland in their early years meant I would spend a lot of time on city playgrounds. It always amazed me that children of different races, dialects, social classes, and religious backgrounds would interact with each other naturally. The thought often crossed my mind that if children ruled the world there’d be peace and harmony. They didn’t see division, class, and labels – all were one, and they were so innocent.

I would sit and ponder what my children would become. Observing their very different personalities, I surmised one thing: I wanted them to be very comfortable in their own skin. I hoped that they would recognize that as individuals, they were a unique creation. And that each one of us has a special gift to contribute to society. What works for one, didn’t work for the other. One size doesn’t fit all, and hopefully they’d feel comfortable to contribute their thoughts and feelings toward creating a better world.

What parent doesn’t want the very best for their children? As my children grew, I came to discover that parents and educators have very different styles and ideas. I was encouraged when I brought my oldest to Pleasant Hill School, and the theme for the year was respect. Keeping an open mind, considering other points-of-view, and learning to play nice. That worked for me. Or, so I thought.

Playing nice seemed to be great in theory, but difficult in practice, as witnessed by the conduct of parents and community leaders addressing the very sensitive issue of our children’s sexual education curriculum. The defenses came up, and the issue became who was right and who was wrong. Somehow, the word respect was reduced to mere child play and there was no room for other points of view.

Planned Parenthood is an organization that faithful Catholics and religious people find offensive – and rightfully so. A Drudge Report issued Jan. 12 announced that Planned Parenthood has launched a line of key chains. Twenty eight designs ranging from Michelangelo’s Adam reaching his hand out to God, and God handing him a condom. To the patriotic series: a take off on the famous “Uncle Sam Wants You” replaced by Uncle Sam with a condom saying “I want you.” Will this be the next gadgetry that our children will bring home in their back packs?

This is hardly a pretty picture. Many opposed to the current sexual education curriculum dare not speak publicly for fear of verbal abuse, attack, and for those working in the school system, loss of job. A community divided.

And, what do we say to our kids when we tell them we need to “opt out” because we don’t agree with the material being taught? How do children feel when they’re excluded? The playground of early childhood seems a distant memory.

It’s time to drop the gloves, and come together and talk. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion need to be honored and respected in our schools. Parents with differing points of views should be able to express their feelings without being accused of attack. The artistry of life’s pretty picture depends on all of us. We can and must do better for the sake of our kids health and well-being; mind, body, soul, and spirit.