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Some of the worst kids I ever met were the sons and daughters of clergy, cops and went to Catholic school.
Kids are no different today than they were when I was a kid. Some are destined to destroy their lives and others will turn out just fine even if they do make a few mistakes along the way.
And no matter how good a parent you are and how good an example you set, some children will still make some bad choices. All you can hope for as a parent is that yours "might" turn out ok.
Do your best and hope for the best. Its not easy growing up in the world we live in today. And I doubt that will ever change even in the future.
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
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"Raise a child in the way they should go, and they will never depart from it. Sermon over." Todd Gill....quoting a Biblical idea ------------
-------yeah, right Todd. That is a Bible truth, however, the Bible indicates 1/3 of the angels became disobedient and are now demons. So is GOD a bad parent? Did GOD do a bad job setting an example or not talking to his "kids" about the birds and the bees?
Free moral agents is what all intellegent creatures are they are going to do what is in their hearts... no matter what.
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Ah yes.. the paranoid Cop dad.. I have one. Total pain in the butt to live with but I got lucky, most cops go to bars after their shifts then come home drunk and beat their kids. My dad never went to bars, he just came home completely sober and ready to give lectures. Very long lectures.
My parents made it pretty clear to both me and my sister, we had to earn our freedom. We did have more freedom than the other kids but if we ever screwed up, it was taken away. Groundings were never part of it though, the consequences were more severe than that and often included humiliation. That includes if the police picked us up for anything and called our parents to come get us, we'd be spending the night in a cell. If we screwed up, Mom and Dad simply would not come to bat for us.
Live and learn!
Knowing we didn't have that parental "Safety Net" to rescue us pretty much kept us on the straight and narrow. We had to think into the future of what consequences may come and that determined if we did anything. Yeah, we both had a couple youthful indiscretions but we learned from it and moved on.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Cops beating their kids after the shift is done? A little of an exaggeration don't you think Mike?
Of course, speaking as an uncaged Catholic what would I know. Lots of lost sinning time to make up for after being so repressed and protected. Not to mention, not being "socialized" in the correct manner.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2787 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Lecturing is usually not the way to go. Talking works better. Think about when someone is condescending and "lectures" you...how do YOU feel? You get what you give to your kids. Be honest and frank, but be in charge. My kids misbehaved ...but usually they know right after they did it, it was not a good choice. We pointed that out to them. If you are mean-spirited and condescending, that's what you will get back from them. They KNOW when they are wrong, don't think they don't. Kids are smart and they know when you are being "real" with them. I saw a great saying a while back..."Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home."
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Dave - sorry, I kind of misquoted that verse you mentioned.
It really goes like this:
Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
It doesn't say a kid will not stray in the "wild oats years - or that he won't do anything bad when young....but I think the idea here is that if you're a good parent, a good example, and teach your kids what they need to know in regards to personal responsibility, morals, religious values, etc......
then even though they might falter for a time, they will eventually return to the moral compass they were presented as young people.....
Isn't this how you see many, many people play out their lives: They were taught good values, they rebel for a time as young, inexperienced individuals - preferring to try things their "own" way.....and then discover that their once stupid, but now wise parents had it right with the training and guidance they provided in their youth.
They then throw off the old, silly, frivolous way of living and return to the basic tenets taught by their parents - and become very responsible, respectful and honorable adults.
Much like the parable of the prodigal son.
I cannot answer your question about God's rebellious angels....only to say that it seems God gives everyone a "free will." Maybe this was true of his angels as well. My thoughts are that God wants all his creatures to consciously choose Him as their God by their own free will. End of sermon number 2.
Edit: I should say that this is my own opinion on training kids - and my view on life's journey....I don't want to get too preachy here...so I'll sort of stay mellow and let this ride. I'd be happy to discuss this in a neighborly way if you'd like. I certainly don't claim to have all the answers...but do have my opinions on this subject. Have an awesome day - and a successful one too.
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"...however, the Bible indicates 1/3 of the angels became disobedient and are now demons. So is GOD a bad parent? Did GOD do a bad job setting an example or not talking to his "kids" about the birds and the bees?" -------------------- Dave, don't you know that angels are without gender? Some have masculine names like Michael and Gabriel, instead of Michaela and Gabriella, but they don't reproduce, or get sick or get shot or anything. Those fat little baby angels you see in Renaissance art are only cartoons, not portraits. Lots of folks back then must have been tutti-frutti over cutti putti butti.
-------------------- Bruce Williams Lexington KY Posts: 945 | From: Lexington, KY, USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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quote:Originally posted by David Wright: Cops beating their kids after the shift is done? A little of an exaggeration don't you think Mike?
Maybe, maybe not. Lots of cops do drown their sorrows at the bar after their shifts and a drunk is a drunk regardless of profession.
Cops can be pretty tough to live with because dealing with the trash all day long does make them paranoid, mistrusting, negative, depressed, etc. They get lit up like a Christmas tree there's no telling who they're going to let loose on. Especially when they work in a larger city with lots of trash.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Many good points and opinions in this post. I think commenting on this post is just as difficult as maybe choosing a career as a cop, just maybe. Forgiveness of other's mistakes and deep retrospect of my own actions does help me to clear out my head so that I can be an example for my kids... and coming to the bb to let my hair hang down and gather ideas, surely makes parenting a bit easier. btw, I believe the Good Lord did give all free wills, therefore, a choice of which roads to race, trod, skip or stumble upon; and I'm glad there are fields on the sides of the roads to just take a break on.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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If you are mean-spirited and condescending, that's what you will get back from them. They KNOW when they are wrong, don't think they don't. Kids are smart and they know when you are being "real" with them. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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