No one said that there was only one way to raise children. There certainly isn’t a single solution to dealing with rebellious teens.
As parents, we try different methods. We read books; some of us listen to Dr. Phil (others dismiss him); we seek counseling from a pastor or a psychologist — or we plead for divine intervention. We don’t pretend to have all the correct answers.
As dads, we have fumbled our way through child-rearing and have been fortunate enough to avert some of the heartache and tragedies that other parents have experienced. And we’re always learning from other parents.
We believe that Lesson No. 1 in the schooling that takes place under every roof is to teach our young children to be kind to one another. And we mean teach by example rather than give lip service.
The suggestion seems almost silly, but the “gold” in the Golden Rule seems to have turned green. It is no longer real. It looks good on a poster or etched on a wall, but many heed it like they obey speed limits — “I’ll be kind if it’s absolutely necessary; otherwise, I’ve got things to do, places to go, people to put down.”