I’ve noticed more news reporting on teen crime and how some cities are passing laws to hold parents accountable.
Shouldn’t parents be accountable without having a law to enforce it?
Growing up, I saw my Aunt Dorothy Bowden rule with a strong but respected and loving hand.
She had four boys. She knew what they were up to doing. Ours was a small community and we all looked out for one another.
Aunt Dorothy was a hard-working woman virtually raising these boys on her own. She always said within minutes of getting home from work she knew if her boys were involved in any misbehavior in town.
She made it her business to know what her kids were up to.
Aren’t that what parents should do? Pay attention to your kids. Be aware of what they are doing, who they are hanging out with.
I wasn’t a perfect teenager by any means. But whenever I thought about seriously misbehaving, the guilt sat in and usually discouraged me. The reason? My parents were respected. They taught us well and additionally they walked the walk. I didn’t want to disappoint them. I always tried to make them proud.
As I became an adult, I continued to respect my parents. I loved them and never wanted to hurt them.
This week our grandkids here began a new school year. A tradition going back to my kids’ dad’s school days is to gather for a first day picture at Grandma’s house. Originally it was at Grandma Tillie’s house. Now it is at mine. This tradition passed down from grandpa to parents and now their kids are dear to my heart. I appreciate the effort put into this event. I know they just do it to please me. God bless them all. Life is good today.