Minnesota's Parental Bill of Rights, Part V

Whether you are a believer or not, there is no doubt that there is a spiritual battle going on today. Right from wrong and evil versus good. I have always told my children we are on the devils playground. I’ve always told my children that being a Christian would not be easy. As the world was hit with chaos when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, parents were left with lots ofquestions and fear; at the time I had four children in four very different stages of life ranging from high school, middle school elementary and preschool. I watched the chaos and hectic mess of every day unfold before my eyes.

They say seeing is “believing.” What I saw was the family foundation being stripped from parents. Parents being called domestic terrorists and being put on an FBI watchlist. Parents were getting banned and barred like throwing candy in a parade. I know this firsthand because it personally happened to me. When I reached out to school personnel about a Sexting class that would be taught to fifth graders I was met with complete resistance. I never thought in 1,000,000 years that trying to work with the school or simply just asking questions would lead to retaliation and discrimination not just against me but my children as well.

I was left without answers and now not being able to communicate with school personnel. I had no idea what to do. I watched my children come home with tears in their eyes, suffering from panic attacks and begging me not to go to school. As this broke me as a mother to see the hurt in my children’s eyes, trying to wrap my brain around the fact that not only are children bullied but adults are too. What was a parent to do? I have cried. I have prayed, and the Scripture kept coming back to me. God will fight for you and you shall hold your peace. The battle is not yours.

One of the many things I have prayed for is help. Our children are the future, and it felt like their future was being taken away from them by dictators. Enough was enough! How do we help our children when they are dealing with a bully? It was time for change, and to lead by example. March 13, 2023, I met my bullies face to face at our school board meeting to address their retaliation.

God was behind the scenes, pulling the strings. Who brought Gary, Phyllis, Jeff and John into my life? Five incredibly different stories, and one amazing solution, The Parental Bill Of Rights. We the people are the solution. Walk by faith not by sight. I wish I could pick all 16 rights as my favorite. Here are some of the rights that could have helped me.

# 1 Make Final Decisions: on their child’s behalf, despite contrary views, or objections from school personnel. As a parent making the best choice for your child is what we aim to do. As children are still young and developing and figuring out the world it is important that we make the final decision which includes protecting them, loving them, keeping them healthy, protecting their innocence including the mind, spirituality and the right to a transparent factual education. As a parent, you understand your child better than anyone else. If I was able to make the final decision in my child’s education I would’ve never been met with resistance. Understanding the education that is being taught in today’s schools is incredibly important to understand. Being able to make the final decision would mean I could protect my children from the critical race theory’s, and social emotional learning call kids today are struggling to read. I could’ve made the decision to put phonics back in the school system and not taught my child to be hateful of the color of their skin which is some thing we cannot change. If I was able to make the final decision, I would not have been made to look like some thing I wasn’t for standing up for my family, having the final decision to protect what our founding fathers put in place, and what God has blessed me with no parent should ever feel, like there voice is silenced, and what they feel is right.

# 16: request that during a disciplinary proceeding, a child advocate be present, when one-on-one conversations take place between anyone 18 years of age or older. This is for the protection of both the child and the school employee. The advocate could be a child’s parent, trusted relative, or teacher who was not involved in the event. I have dealt with this situation more times than I can count. I have been told by school personnel that because they spoke to my child one on one, my child was more than likely lying.

It is important that children are safe. We will not co-parent with the government. We are faced with whose side will they believe a child or a school staff? For the safety of a minor and school personnel, this right will be so incredibly valuable for a transparent and truth finding solution. Like myself, I do choose to believe my children when they talk to me, but we have seen too often adults protecting other adults. When my children fight, I always ask each child separately their side of the story. Now we have seen one adult and one child in the same situation and kids get shut down. It is heartbreaking to know the downfall in the school educational system. If I was able to be the advocate for my child, I would not have been barred from the school. I would’ve been able to have clear communication on some thing I didn’t feel right about .If I could advocate for my child, I would still have trust in the school system and teachers that they are doing what they are supposed to be. If I could advocate for my child, my child would still have a fervent love of learning! If I could advocate for my children and set the example of being courageous, fighting for what you believe in and theres no such thing as a dumb question. I wouldn’t of been on a no communication plan. Kids pay attention! These examples are what is happening to our children and these Parental Bill of Rights gives us back the power. They protect us as we do for them.

Cassie Fredregill