The economy when I grew up allowed me the luxury of “a stay-at-home-parent” to come home to. Even though at the time I NEVER would have called it a luxury and felt I didn’t need that at the time, I see how having the gift of someone who loved me always there to guide me along when I faltered was priceless. Unfortunately, today the majority of adults in every household have to work full time just to make ends meet because no matter our status, every single one of us in this country are basically no more than3-4 paychecks aways from homelessness. Providing food and shelter takes priority over being available to answer questions our teens MIGHT ask us. Even though all of the small and suttle lessons we learn add up and become the life lessons that made us who we are today, food and shelter are more important. Additionally, once they enter middle school, it seems teachers go from being on a pedestal and someone to turn to, and become “the enemy,” instead isolating them even more from seeking guidance.

We have had to instill fear into our children to be wary of all adults. On one hand they are taught that all people are created equal and that people are innocent until proven guilty. However, to keep them safe, we have instilled in them that all strangers are guilty until proven trustworthy. Today, everywhere we look, there is another scam or threat of identity theft. There is always someone or something coming at you from all different directions trying to sell us something or steal something., We live in a world where a person’s character is no longer based on morality or honesty. To trust someone at their word or handshake is a lesson in stupidity today. Teens need to be able to turn somewhere for guidance. Its seems like so many are teaching themselves as they go along. Sometimes Its like watching Lord of the Flies in the SCV. Think back to all the little questions you have had answered in your lifetime. All of those little steps in character building we took that made us who we are today. We are expecting our teens to be successful and be on top; however, we are not providing them the emotional ladder to climb there. Its like providing them with tons and tons of raw food so they don’t starve but they are not being taught how to prepare it.