Open The Communication Lines With Your Kids

Happy Friday! Do you know where your kids are? Do you care? I certainly do. As I stated before, I have no children. God did not bless me with that opportunity, but He gave me enough compassion to love them all. Since I'm living in Chicago, there are so many stories on the news of teens lives being cut short due to gun violence. Our country is grappling with drug wars, school shootings, teen suicides and other issues on the news. Many times, families are very tight lipped about those who have passed on. Usually, you'll only find out about these issues after they create a foundation of some sort in the person's memory. I'm sure these survivors would want more preventative services so they could have avoided the tragedies. My suggestion is that you talk to your children. It's never too late to start. Start small. Everyday Mom asked us how our day was. And she listened. Since we came home at different times, it was always a private conversation. The three of us grew into responsible adults who never got into "trouble". So, check in on your kids. See what's going on in their world. Get to know their habits. Get to know the changes in those habits. Get to know their friends. Get to know their schools. Get to know their world  their environment and what they are going through. As adults, we sometimes concern ourselves with providing a roof over their heads, clothes on their back, shoes on their feet. Very classic parental things to do. However, I can say with certainty, children want more of your time and attention. They will appreciate the memories with those that they love. I must admit, my mom was a teacher. She had instant credibility at every school that we went to. She knew all of the teachers that were in our classrooms. She knew most of the school administrators because she was not afraid to go in with her teacher credentials and question everything that was going on. And she questioned us as well. She wanted to know what was going on in our day. She watched our grades very closely. Mom and Dad were not helicopter parents (far from it), but she wanted to make sure that her children were okay. She provided that open environment for us because as a teacher she dealt with other kids all the time. In seeing what her students were doing, she would look at us to see what it was we were doing. Even when we were in college, she would always check in with the three of us. When we called about something, she answered day or night. I can say unequivocally, she provided the best for us and was always there for us. Even though Mom passed 10 years ago, her prayers still cover us. Dad has stepped up since she's passed because he knew what she meant to us all.  Mom spread her love through her teaching and those lessons will always stick with me. I want the same for these kids that are coming up now. These are different times we are in, but love is still love. Do you kids know you love them? Do they know that you care? If you aren't sure, ask. If you have difficulty asking, get professional help. You are worth it. Your kids are worth it. Now again, I don't have any children.  But I'm concerned about our future. I'm concerned about our future generations. I will do my part but parents please do yours. Our society will be a better place if you do. We all deserve to live our best life. The purple life, Share your comments below. Thank you for reading this article and supporting this blogspace. Stay safe, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!