My son told me the saddest thing the other day. A younger guy in his high school approached him asking if he could just talk. My son said this guy had never interacted with him before and made it clear to him this was a one time thing. This young man was worried because his parents wont allow him to have friends. He has to work after school and hand over his paycheck to them. His grades fell below an A and they removed everything from his room except his bed. My son was shaken. He patiently listened and encouraged the guy to speak up about it if he really felt things were bad for him. This young man was realizing that abuse can be mental, not just physical. Im proud of my son for being brave enough to be there for someone who wasnt in his social circle. It may have helped that young man make an important decision about his life. We can teach our kids to think of others. To consider people despite their social standing, religion, race, cultural background. There doesnt have to be fear or hate in their hearts if we teach them to love from the start. I work at a school. I watch random acts of kindness from young people everyday. The greatest surprise for me is that most of the time the so-called trouble makers are acting out due to their home situation. And boy do they appreciate someone just going thru the lunchline and offering to grab their free lunch to give to them or buying them a bottled water and sandwich. Ive seen kids use their last dollar in their account to help someone they barely know. Or carry their tray while the other person struggles to find their wallet. I watched fights break out and how some seniors will shield freshman who dont understand yet what the "fishbowl" means. And all the while the teachers, the adults around them are yelling, cussing, sarcastically shamming and when breaking up fights are slamming kids down on the floor. Is it any wonder they hate us? Parents do you really listen to your kids after school? Do we realize how bad its getting for them out there? Parents, please teach your kids. Dont use them for financial support or gain. Provide them with the tools to be a functioning productive adult. Make home a sanctuary from this crappy world. Young People, dont be afraid to speak up if youre being used and/or abused. We ALL deserve a healthy happy secure home.

My son told me the saddest thing the other day. A younger guy in his high school approached him asking if he could just talk. My son said this guy had never interacted with him before and made it clear to him this was a one time thing.This young man was worried because his parents wont allow him to have friends. He has to work after school and hand over his paycheck to them. His grades fell below an A and they removed everything from his room except his bed.My son was shaken. He patiently listened and encouraged the guy to speak up about it if he really felt things were bad for him. This young man was realizing that abuse can be mental, not just physical. Im proud of my son for being brave enough to be there for someone who wasnt in his social circle. It may have helped that young man make an important decision about his life.We can teach our kids to think of others. To consider people despite their social standing, religion, race, cultural background. There doesnt have to be fear or hate in their hearts if we teach them to love from the start. I work at a school. I watch random acts of kindness from young people everyday. The greatest surprise for me is that most of the time  the so-called trouble makers are acting out due to their home situation. And boy do they appreciate someone just going thru the lunchline and offering to grab their free lunch to give to them or buying them a bottled water and sandwich. Ive seen kids use their last dollar in their account to help someone they barely know. Or carry their tray while the other person struggles to find their wallet. I watched fights break out and how some seniors will shield freshman who dont understand yet what the "fishbowl" means. And all the while the teachers, the adults around them are yelling, cussing, sarcastically shamming and when breaking up fights are slamming kids down on the floor. Is it any wonder they hate us? Parents do you really listen to your kids after school? Do we realize how bad its getting for them out there?Parents, please teach your kids. Dont use them for financial support or gain. Provide them with the tools to be a functioning productive adult. Make home a sanctuary from this crappy world.Young People, dont be afraid to speak up if youre being used and/or abused.  We ALL deserve a healthy happy secure home. 