Children learn what they live.

If a child lives with criticism, she learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule, she learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilt.

If a child lives with tolerance, she learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, she learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with security, she learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance, he or she learns to find love in the world.

I came across this poem and realized that this captures what I have been thinking about lately; how children become who they are and how they become a product of their environment. I am at a point in my life where I look at kids and sadly admit that I don't like them very much....not all, but more than years ago. And, I know I'm not alone. We raised our children to respect, not only others, but themselves. To treat others as you would want to be treated. To have compassion and show kindness to others. Sadly, that is not the world we live in these days and I am troubled because I don't know how to turn this around. You may ask why I choose to write about this. Simply because within the last month, several events have happened which I cannot stop thinking about; and I think it's because I can't comprehend why any of it happened. I have a niece who worked long and hard to get her teachers certificate; her dream has always been to teach because she loves children. School started and within a week, one of her students hit her and she ended up with a black eye; and we are talking about young grade school age children here; not big high schoolers. Where IS this coming from?  My husband and I are retired and like to take walks around our area. There are schools close by and it's not unusual to run into kids skipping out but that isn't what bothers me.  It's the bad attitude and arrogance of these kids. On one of our walks, a middle school girl rammed right into my husband, then turned and dared him to do something. Of course she was not by herself; was with a group of about 10 AND we even had a dog with us! Last week two boys came walking towards us and one almost hit me in the head with his outstretched arm (he did not put his arms out until he got close to us). You could tell he was trying to scare me but I did not move or flinch and stared him down. But WHY? Why can't we walk our streets or teach in our schools without getting accousted by juveniles?

What has happened? I have 4, going on 5 grandchildren and to say that I am worried is putting it lightly. Even if we raise them the way we were raised, will they have a chance out there?

I don't hesitate to say that I am scared, not only for our kids, but for all of us.  These are our future leaders. If they act like this at such a young age, what will they be like when they are adults? I get so very close to throwing up my hands and say to hell with all of them but that won't help either. But what do I do with the anger I feel when a young punk dares me to throw a punch or hit him or her with my car when they are walking down the middle of the street?

I admit, I'm at a loss. It's so hard to have faith that everything will turn itself around and that the kids who are beating up teachers in our schools today will all of a sudden wake up and realize that they are going nowhere by the way they are acting. Where do we start?