The Golden Years?

It's not the way that it should be ..... people raising their grandchildren. I know several. Seems to be quite common among the people that I work with. Maybe it speaks to the lower level of formal education that many received and the resulting lack of importance given it with their own children. I hear their stories and am almost happy to be childless. Though I like to think that I would have stressed education and taking responsibility from an early age.

One person in particular is struggling with depression currently. Not only with her own children being irresponsible and bad decision makers but with her siblings as well. Being the oldest of the bunch, they come to her with all their problems. No one seems to be able to function independently and stay above water for very long. There are always two or three crises being dealt with and rarely very effectively. Drugs, jail, failed relationships, money problems being constant themes. I've been telling her for years that she needs to distance herself from the never ending chaos but I guess that's easier said than done. It's like televisions longest running soap opera.

Watching from a distance, it seems that many of the issues are just decisions made with no consideration to consequences. Or the attitude that they can get away with it. There's no stopping and thinking things through, just emotional instant reactions and choices made.

Something happened with either my generation or the parents of my generation. Certain ideals were not sufficiently passed along to the kids. It's not yet been reversed. It's not even been recognized by more than a handful. I wonder if it's too late for change?

A friend once told me that he always votes for education. Anything put up for a vote involving better education ..... he votes in favor of. It does appear to be the main difference maker. Show your children stability and responsibility. Don't wait until you feel the need to take charge of your grandchildren to begin stressing it.