WHERE ARE YOUR CHILDREN??

Another week ending - I've been working at the store, and getting stressed. There is something about dripping wet kids standing in the aisle that makes me crazy. They are cold,shivering, and sunburned, asking to use the phone to call their parents. They want to charge some snacks to their parents account. I wonder - where ARE their parents - I would not let my own kids go in swimming before the water warms up a bit; but these kids seem to have the freedom to do whatever they choose.

No direction, no guidance, they are growing up in a world where whatever they want to do - is okay.

Perhaps I am too critical. Sign of old age, but contrary to popular belief, I love kids. I was a scoutleader for several years, and hope I was able to instill a sense of self-worth and provide some direction. We went on trips, marched in parades, worked on crafts. I tried to give the kids the respect they craved and demanded respect in return. I think most of them grew up to be pretty good people.

It's not the easiest "job" in the world to be a parent. I raised three children of my own, and there were difficult times. I think they know that they are loved, and that mistakes are forgiven, but they are living up to what my expectations of them were. When they grew up and left home to go on to their own lives, they knew that the door was always open. If they needed to talk - I was there to listen.

Today - there seems to be a lack of values - kids are left on their own to cope with a changing world. Drugs, sex, and cursing seem to be open to them. In my opinion, and for what it's worth -
parents should take a more active role in what their children are doing, watching and who their
"friends" are.

Turn into YOUR MOTHER, for a bit - and be there for them. In the end, they will thank you for it.