What Are Friends For?

In this day and age we must be careful who we associate with. I grew up in a wealthy home with a relatively sheltered upbringing. It was not until I had my own children that I discovered how hard it is to find true friends today.

I was very uneasy allowing my children to go over to other people's houses. So as a family we decided that we would not do that. My children would be taught from a young age to watch out for who they were around. So we introduced them to our friends with children. This has worked out perfectly. We have control while teaching them how to interacct with others. We have a controlled environment.

My mother says we are crazy. But I saw what hell other children had to go through because parents did not have the time to teach their children in a controlled environment. Now I have a 14 year old.  She tells me everything going on with her.  She asks me for advice.

The other day she was telling me how her day went.  she was telling me that she saw a little girl being picked on and she reported it to an authority and the authority thanked her.  she asked me what she should do and gave her some advice on a few other minor prblems she was having.  Later in the week, she told me the advice really worked for her.  She actually thanked me.  Now, it is not always so easy with may children, but we try and remmber that the parents are in charge. They are theere to guide, guard, and direct children in a safe path. 

It is really nice for a 14 year old to come up to her mom and say, "Thanks, Mom, you.re a great friend."  I love to respond,  "What are friends for?"