Where Did All These Unhappy Kids Come From?

There sure seems to be a lot of unhappy children in our world today....I've heard enough parents, teachers and neighbors complain about this kid or tell me this kids did that. I've gotten to the point I just nod that little sympathetic nod, like, "Oh, poor you." But is it really? Do they really deserve my empathy?

I took a step back from all the "trouble" they were having with the youth and thought about it, I really did. I came to the conclusion that kids today are lost. You have this sped up world where adults can be self centered on careers. They are busy with their own lives and activities. Teachers are overwhelmed with more office politics and procedural forms that watching the clock becomes the most important event of the day. So in this fast forward world we live in, where are the kids? I think they are lost in the shuffle. Oh, but don't get me wrong....there are plenty of XBox's, gameboy, playstation and computers out there to keep them busy and outta of the way, but I'm talking about mom and dad off doing their thing. So are your neighbor's parents and your friends parents down the block. They're working late or going to this circle of friends, perhaps it's the bar, either way, what are these kids going to do?

Back when they were toddlers, they understood the theory of "acting out" for attention. Who says this stops after you reach a certain age? These young kids are expected to conduct themselves, yet they are lacking in the maturity and experience to see the "whole picture". Conduct them selves. I think that's funny. Conduct them how? Who showed them how to conduct themselves? Old Jimmie down the street? Doesn't he come home drunk several times a week and park on in the yard? What about your friend Sue? Did she have a very torrid, yet very public, affair with a guy at work? Or you? Where were you the last 3 nights? How are these kids supposed to perceive these things that they are seeing? Did you talk them through these situations? Do they understand the wrong or right of it?

As a parent and mentor (yes, that should include teachers!) you need to listen, I mean really listen to what these kids are saying. By listening you are opening the door to how they really feel and their interpretation of their world around them. Listening to them as they are trying to sort out their emotions and deal with situations. As a parent and mentor, listening and guidance is the key factor to helping their evolution into an adult. These youth can't be "expected" to know that, that's why they have parents to continue teaching or God forbid just talk to them on everyday issues. I'm just getting more than tired of hearing parents, teachers, neighbors, etc. complain about a child and not want to help the child. Good grief! If your kitchen sink was broken you'd fix it right? I mean before it made a mess of your home? So if that's the case, why won't you do that with your own children??