
There are no dollar figures on the guidance and structure received from parents, guardians and extended connections. One thing is certain: we needed the essential levels of training, discipline and love associated with our growing pains.
Coming of age is hard and harsh as raw feelings are maturing. Not knowing where to go or how to channel them is a challenge. Younger and younger are the faces of false maturity, where those who think they are of a certain age, experiment, often going down the wrong path. There is nothing wrong with learning the ropes but as any mountain climber will tell you, you must have proper training to survive.
Long ago on a stage far, far away (Colorado), the comedian Sinbad gave a hilarious yet telling quip in one of his routines. After enlisting a mother and her two young sons through a few teasing rounds, he focused his attention on the boys, who when asked if they thought they knew more than their mom, the eldest of the two half-kiddingly responded that he did.
The always observant comedic genius of spontaneity looked down at the boys and responded, "if your momma dropped you off right now on XWY street, you wouldn't know your way home!" The snap-witted comment caused the mother of two to go into hysterics, clapping her hands in uproarious agreement, followed by thunderous laughter from others in attendance. But it is so true.
Our youth have a false sense of security, through some misleading and unrealistic programming, certain social media tying myth to some strange form of reality. Make no mistake our children are brilliant, stronger by the day and have abilities far and away more advanced than most of us from the 70'and 80's because of heightened technology alone.
Back then our idea of action heroes came in the form of stylized kicks and punches by the likes of the Bionic Man, Mod Squad, Bruce Lee movies. We got in trouble, some worse than others but this twenty-first century generation makes us look as if it is impossible to relate in a normal fashion.
Communication is not the raw stuff of actually sitting and talking to the person right beside you. We have resorted to texting within inches of the physical location of our intended recipient. In order to keep the bonds of open, honest lines of conversation going and surpassing the common trends, we need to talk to our youth in order to get and stay touch with them.
They not only need us, they want us to be involved in their lives. Common sense has to be taught, it is not inherent upon our first butt slap into this world.
Parents: teach your children right-right now. Do not become a sponsor for when sports uniforms and instruments need a check written, with a side order of parenthood.
Get involved, stay involved. Be the parent.