Over and over we hear about kids killing kids, kids stabbing kids to honor some computer game character, kids killing PERIOD! And over and over again the same questions are asked: what went wrong? What happened? Or the ever repeated "ban guns", "it's because of violent video games/movies/TV/insert excuse here".
Do you want to know what's wrong? I can tell you right now, but I don't know if you'll believe me, or if you'll decide to take the right step or not.
YOU! You are what went wrong. Society, as a whole, is what is wrong with our kids, with the younger generation, with the future of our country and the world. Mothers (or fathers) no longer stay home to raise and guide their kids. We are told we can "have it all" and we should rush out to have our own lives and careers even if we are a mother. You know, you're right, you absolutely have that choice. BUT, since when is leaving our kids to be raised by strangers, technology, or left to their own devices, and then coming home from a long day of work to cook and clean and be completely disrespected by a kid who's never been taught otherwise considered "having it all"?
I knew at a young age that the moment I became a mother my life would change. I knew then that the moment a child came into my life it was no longer all about me. We choose to bring these kids into the world (or in my case, adopt them into our lives), so shouldn't we be determined to raise them to the best they can be? Isn't it unfair to teach a child that it's okay to NOT try his/her hardest because you'll still get a trophy. Oh boy, not in the real world you won't.
Look, I'm not saying I want to go back to a time when women didn't have a choice as to whether they wanted to work or not. What I'm saying is can we go back to a time when families meant more than careers, television, partying, internet, <insert whatever here>? Can't we go back to a time when we actually SHAMED mothers or fathers for walking out on their families? Can't we go back to a time when it was more common to be married/committed for life before starting a family instead of glorifying things like teen pregnancy by creating television shows about it?
I am not, by any means, trying to discourage you, demean you, or belittle you. It's no secret that I was a single mother once, and my children were in childcare at that time. I had no choice, as so many others don't. BUT, the moment my husband and I were married we committed to raising our kids instead of letting someone else do it. We've made sacrifices, and I even clip coupons to ensure we can afford for me to be here to guide them, to be here when they walk through the door, to keep them safe.
Maybe it's time we all choose to put our families first. Because these kids will only be little for a short period of time. Won't that college degree/dream job/corporate ladder be there when they're in high school or college?
And men, if you don't want to be a daddy, use a freaking condom. We women need to ensure that the privilege of being with us is allowed only for the worthy males, for the strong, kind males, for the ones who, indeed, want to put you and your/his family before anything else.
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