BOY, there's a lot for me to say these days...

As I've said in other posts, I am not a (biological) parent. However, I know a bit about kids because I used to BE one!  But, hey guys, if you have a kid, and for whatever reason, need him to be occupied for awhile, do you think sitting him in front of the boob tube with a violent bloody video game is the answer vs a babysitter?  NO, I don't think so.  And before you start on me about video games not being the cause of violence, hear me out.  Not that they're the solo cause, but...

It is my opinion that exposure to many hours of violent movies, tv or video games will desensitize anyone to REAL life violence.  Especially if we're talking about a very young, impressionable mind.  Add to that the fact that some parents think its peachy to sit in front of the boob tube and play the game or watch the movie WITH the kid.

Ok, now take that scenario, and add to that the fact that the kid may not be required to behave, they may have no consequences for misbehavior.  "Oh look, little *insert name here* has just pretended to kill the cat, isn't that cute?  Let me get my camera!"   Therefore, the kid has no 'fear' of repercussion or any kind of discipline (and we're not necessarily talking physical discipline).  They must not be dealt guilt, because that's bad for self esteem.  They must not be allowed to lose at games, because that's bad for self esteem.  They must not be scolded on what's right or wrong, or REAL OR IMAGINED because you don't want to screw around with the kid's self esteem.  I call bullshit.  How else is the kid ever going to learn that NOT always 'feeling good' is the consequence for doing the wrong thing?  It didn't kill me!

Now add to that volatile mix the possibility of there being a firearm in the home.  Well, if you ain't going to educate the kid on right vs. wrong, bad vs. good,  you better not be leaving a GUN around that he could get to. He won't know he isn't allowed to touch that, because... it might be bad for his self esteem?  NO, because he may do HARM to himself or others.

It is incumbent of the ADULT in the situation to take matters into his or her hand.  Right from wrong, real from imagined.  In other words, teaching the kid about Personal Responsibility for his actions!  Do you spend time with him?  Talk with him about his day?  Have any kind of dialogue with him?  Or do you let him sit at a dinner table (if you can get him to) with his Iphone in his hands, earphones and maybe earrings in his head???  How is he going to learn to live?  Not like that.

While I'm busy pissing people off here, let's go one step further and introduce GOD and PRAYER into the situation.  Do you teach the child that there is an Almighty, Benevolent and Merciful GOD who loves him and us beyond all measure?  That you can talk to Him anytime, anywhere?  That there is certain accountability in this life which will lead to where you spend the next?  Does the parent know this himself?  There are choices to be made, some of which are bad and others good.  And the choice matters!  This life is but a speck of time on the face of eternity!

I was taught from a very young age what was right and wrong, about God and the Devil (who is very real!), and real and imagined.  I didn't win every game, didn't win every argument, didn't always get my own way.  If I did wrong, I was disciplined.  I knew it was going to happen, so I planned accordingly and didn't do much to offend my parents.  I had a healthy fear of being smacked in the ass.  And that was the extent of the physical discipline as opposed to beatings.  I knew one LOOK from my father was enough!

I was taught faith, hope and charity, and that you did unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Be nice to others because you want to be treated nicely.  I didn't always understand, but grew into the understanding.  I had to consider the path I chose, knowing that I was responsible for choosing, and living with the choice.  I praise my parents for their love, faith and perseverance.  Many parents now would do well to emulate them.

Oh, and I did (and do) have a temper.  But I learned to dispel my anger at an early age by writing, drawing, yelling, stamping my feet, and periodically throwing stuff (and that continues to this day).  I am a law abiding, level headed, responsible, permit carrying gun owner.  I WILL shoot to kill anyone who enters my home with intent of harming anyone I love.

I don't know if this made much sense to anyone.  But my writing dispels my unease and bad humor over what's happened in CT this week.  It helps me, and hopefully, some kids will take my path rather than the path of the unspeakable evildoers we have encountered in our world.

Thank you and good night.  Peace be upon your homes, and God be with us.