willy7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5pfBUUZNbFM
I hope this works, it's so moving and uplifting. Enjoy.

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

Absolutely AWESOME, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, and, as you say, moving!! :!: :!: :!: :!: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Navysnipe Loc: Old West

That is really promising! Maybe there is hope for our children after all.

Worried for our children Loc: Massachusetts

Snipe: you took the words right out of my mouth. :thumbup:

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

He may have taken "the words right out of my mouth"; however, it is your job as "Worried for our Children" to make that promise a reality. :!: :!:

I can almost see you sitting there saying, "_____ Aunti, I know that." You may but have you taken all those necessary steps? Again, I can say you saying "_____ Aunti, of course, I have."

You may think you have. You actually may have. I have serious thoughts on what someone who is "Worried for our Children" should do. Off I go on my busybody interference.

You need to have a meeting with your (I am going to insert all kinds of things and hopefully they apply.) parents, in-law, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and closest intimate friends. You need to tell them where your moral compass is. You need to tell them what your parameters are for behavior, TV, video games, etc. You need to ask them to at all times support your choices for your children. Everybody h**es Hillary Clinton's phrase "it takes a village"; however it does take a village. Your village is all the people I listed. It is your day in and day out example and conversation and village that has the potential to overcome outside influences. When you say NO, you do NOT have to justify that word when your child is young. As they grow in maturity, you may want to have a conversation explaining the "no", but there is NO reason to explain your decision to a toddler, preschooler, elementary schooler. You are the PARENT. it is NOT your job to be their buddy. It is your responsibility to be their PARENT.

To present it in simply terms, the whole "village" has to be going down the same highway with the same rules of the highway by everyone involved.

I will now stand down. It is hoped no offense was brought.

Worried for our children Loc: Massachusetts

Hello AuntiE: of course no offense is taken as it is sound advice.
I have neglected to share with you during our chats, but this is not my first time at the circus of raising a child. At the young age of twenty I fought for and was granted custody of my oldest daughter, reasons why, I feel are irrelevant for the time being. It was a long and hard challenge, where as I do not have a large immediate family, my mother past when I was eleven years old, which added even more pressure on my father to work more in order to support me and my two older brothers, who were thirteen and sixteen at that time. Needless to say, dad wasn't around much working three jobs and all, however I cant put into words his absolute greatness in his ability to show how a father is supposed to be. My brothers and I were athletes playing multiple sports, I dont know about my brothers, but my father attended every game of every sport I played until I graduated high school. Im pretty sure he did the same for my brothers. He was very active in our education as well and would not put up with slacking in this area. I have no idea how he pulled it all off, I just know that he did, and I recognized that at a relatively young age.
As I stated at the age of twenty I, with very little help along the way, raised my oldest in a very similar fashion, as I aspired (and still do) to be even ten percent the father he was/is.
My oldest is now a sophomore in college studying to be a veterinarian, which is two more years of education than I ever achieved, and I couldn't be more proud of her.
My two young children that we have chatted about, well I figured when I met their mother, that I got another chance to do the traditional family again, and I feel blessed and fortunate that I was granted the opportunity.
I guess my point is, it doesn't always take a village, just a strong,healthy, and intelligent base.

p.s. you know I have to call you out on it.... Quoting you here "To present it in simply terms"...??? I'll chalk that up to you being tired :thumbup:

oldroy Loc: Western Kansas (No longer in hiding)

Watch this video and come back telling me what you heard. It moved me quite a bit to hear a military officer talking about his men and others the way he did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXPtXPJLnJY