In response to the fact that two 18 year-olds were responsible for two different mass shootings in less than a week’s time, I posed the question, “What’s going on with 18 year-olds these days?” I received a number of responses, and one that stood out to me was this: “…Please bring back parents and neighbors who don’t mind being nosey and will stay in their kids’ business. How these kids are able to acquire these militaristic weapons with such ease is troubling to me.” I would add to this that parents should appreciate it when they see concerned adults disciplining their children.
At every parent-teacher conference, my mom said her standard line: “Mr/s {insert name here}, you have my permission to discipline Kristi if she steps out of line.” Not only did she tell my teachers that, she told folks in the neighborhood, fellow church members, and anybody who would listen the same thing. A number of you had that same experience. I think that the majority of people that Mom entrusted with this information were well-meaning.
Do moms and dads still tell teachers this? I get it; there are adults that take advantage of our children and parents sometimes have a hard time knowing who they can trust. Years ago, I was at church and this kid was sitting directly in front of me and was acting up. (First of all, kids don’t need to sit by themselves at church or anyplace for that matter, and if they do, shouldn’t they be well-behaved?) His mother was sitting behind us a few pews back and saw me ask him to be quiet, and said loudly, “Don’t you tell my son anything,” shaking her finger at me for added emphasis.
Obviously I was shocked at the mother’s reaction. Whenever I see her now, I always wonder how her kid turned out. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has had this experience. Shocked that a parent would say this and even in front of their kids. I’ve had to remind myself that all parents aren’t like Mom and I should just keep my mouth shut when I see kids doing something they shouldn’t.
On a return flight to Little Rock from a recent trip, my mouth opened up faster than my mind could stop it. “Young man,” I said as G took a deep breath. “You should wait until the aisle in front of you exits and then you go!” While others around me looked along in curious amazement, I would like to think that they had my back. The older kid said, “We are trying to get to our mom and dad,” to which I just shook my head. I thought, “Why would a mom and dad ride up front and let their kids ride at the back of the plane? Wouldn’t the mom ride up front with one kid and the dad ride in the back with the other?” But, hey, who am I to ask or even care I guess. I took a risk that the parents of those kids would have acted just like that mean mother from years ago, but I don’t think they heard me accost their kids. They could have been little badasses, but they weren’t, no doubt cussing me in their minds. I probably should have kept my mouth shut in retrospect.
I wholeheartedly believe that kids should be kids, but when they’re literally running around with scissors and we ignore them, we can’t be wondering how and why they cut themselves. I’m not saying that those two gunmen didn’t have a Mom like mine, but it takes a village to raise up our children. If I say something to your child, know it’s because I care. I don’t want them growing up to be a butt, and you shouldn’t either. Some of y’all know that your kids are terrible but you don’t want anyone telling you anything about it. Everyone’s not wrong. Right?
#ksmithsays
ksmithsays 