COPIED TO BLOGGER 10/12/25
I know, I know everybody says these things as they get older a;
well when I was a kid
kids aren’t like they used to be
kids are worse now than then
my kid would never speak to me like that !
Am I right ?
The list is long , I have found among certain crowds, every word is the truth honest to goodness truth .
Crazy isn’t it ?
These kids are so disrespectful…I hear this all the time as I was raising my eight children and now I hear it about my grandchildren. The funny thing is when I was growing up I. The 1960s and 70’s I had the cool parents , the progressive ones . The beautiful people . My dad made sure my brother and I knew the facts . Or the secrets as he used to say .”Here’s a little secret “ my father taught me and my brother we did not have to respect anyone just because of there age profession social standing. Period … we were taught to respect those that earned our respect. Meaning all adults were not worthy of respect, just because. We were not required to say Mr and Mrs which I did anyway being afraid of being rude. We were told we all must show common respect to each other even adults to children . Wow let me tell you that was Crazy talk I. Those days
Jump ahead 60 years , my dad is now 86 years old and my 12 year old grandson comes to my house and my dad his great grandfather is visiting. Lou walks in goes right by my dad and gets cozy on his blue couch in the other room. It would have been nice if he had said hi to his great grandfather yes it would have and I will mention that to Lou not because he need to respect my dad, actually for his own self respect he must learn early in life the things about ourselves we could work on . A general greeting when entering a room is acceptable and hope that Lou will do that eventually.
My dad says “ what’s up with that kid”? He didn’t even speak to me?” “ not they are going to have problems with him” I know right !!!!!!!
I did not want to get into it at that moment, some days it’s only by example that we can show others true acceptance and love.
Background, my dad had not been around my grandchildren have never known him , they know he lives 20 minutes away , they just don’t understand why he does not come over.
I did explain to them a bit that sometimes families get like that if there is a misunderstanding or something someone did was hurtful. Families take a break rather than work it out . Over the years kids have overheard things and when asking about my childhood they got a small picture of my dad . It was not flattering it was not terrible just my truth . Dad was not there for me
Overall there were lots of things rules expectations for me. He was not a kid person ( he will gladly say that these days ) I feel is much better than not. I grew up not understanding until I did that my dad never wanted children and that if him and mom could not be together than he would not want to do his part . His words were “ if I can’t do the job my way then I’d rather not do it “ so he did not , which having overheard this conversation helped me tremendously although I was only 12 it was a relief to know it wasn’t me and I was right he was not that crazy about me . No pretending needed .
unspoken misunderstandings 