TheBanyanTree: Monday Morning Mendations

[NancyIee at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/23/2006 9:35:20 AM Central Standard Time,  
redd_clay at bellsouth.net writes:

It  made me confront some things that we both have neglected to talk openly  
about, to confute frankly, in short, to speak man-to-man about for some  time.



I think we have all been through that.  Kids these days "know-it-all".  They 
hate it when we nag or preach, or have a sit-down to be serious. "Come  on, 
Mom, I know better than that . ."
 
They don't listen, or if they do, they think it will never happen to them.  
They have free choice, and not all are wise ones.  They're too old for  
spankings or time out, and they're in the "Mom, for heaven's sake, I'm not a  little 
kid," phase. There are no consequences, other than bad grades,  suspension, 
missing out on something because of their neglect or  omissions.
 
Then, "it" happens.  While "I told you so," echoes in your head, you  never 
say it.  You can only be there, give what support you can, hope they  learn, 
and do what any parent must do to preserve the happiness and well-being  of a 
child. And, if there are dire consequences, you ache and cry for them, wish  you 
could take it in their place, but respect their place in their lives as  
young adults, and let them take their lumps.  It's an unhappy  situation.
 
I sometimes wondered, back then, if I would survive my children's teen  
years.  They did. I did. And we are all the wiser and better friends  today.
 
I pray you and your family resolve this situation and come out stronger and  
wiser.
 
NancyLee, now worrying about her grandchildren.