Kids

Gotta love 'em, can't kill 'em

Why is it that kids are the ultimate yin and yang of love and ......? One minute they are all loving, want to hang out, play or just talk and the next they have sprouted horns and you want to strangle them?

When they are 3-5, they are like moody, bi-polar nutcases going from quiet and affectionate little angels to hyper, angry, crying and unsoothable demons. This is my daughter, angel and demon. She is also damn cute, knows it and manipulates me with it...she's good.

6-10 isn't too bad as they aren't as likely to be as unstable as the last age bracket, but you start to deal with them wanting independence and you have to learn to not be so over protective and give a little. Really not too much to report here.

11-15 has been interesting, now you begin to deal with a real push for independence, a struggle with control, big mouths and bigger attitudes. They know it all and let you know it every chance they get. They are learning to be adults and the trials and tribulations that come with it. You try and steer them clear of dangers and pitfalls that life offers them and give them guidance, all the while they are telling you, "I know". You have to let them try and swim here and they might get a gulp of reality from time to time, but you pull them up and dust them off. This is where my son is, with his complete knowledge of life, yet he can barely butter toast right.

16-18 is the time I worry most about. For my son, it is being stupid and getting killed, killing someone else, going to jail, getting a girl pregnant, wrecking my car and getting a girl pregnant (yes I mentioned it twice). For my daughter it is getting hurt, getting killed, getting pregnant and getting pregnant. The reason I mentioned it twice is this would give me a third kid to look after and I will be well out of the phase of my life at this time. Secondly, having a kid at that age is tough, cause you are still kid yourself.

Being a late teen kid is tougher now then ever I think. Kids know less now than in my day and yet they are are exposed to more than I ever was. Kids see sex and violence so much and the desensitization to it is common place and frankly it is scary. Kids don't think about their actions with many consequences. Shootings, stabbings, bullying, STDs and teenage pregnancy are so prevalent and on the rise (not that I have stats to back that up here) and it makes me worried for my children. Kids, just so you know, getting involved with these things hamstrings mom and dad in helping you, so don't fuck up that big.

18+....you're on your own ;-)

The best I can do for them is to give them some morals and values that make them see the right path and choices.