Parenting,

Parenting is by far the toughest job in the universe! There is no right from wrong, there is no manual telling you what to do.  I know a lot of books are written on the subject and a lot of advise out there but let's face it, it is a tough job!!!  I had an issue with one of my kids over the Easter weekend.  I realized today that it is not just me who stuggles being a parent, it's all of us.  My ex wife blames the military for the beliefs I have in raising kids, I just think you should be a parent first and a friend second. you should praise in public criterize in private, and have rules the kids can follow. I do not think that is unreasonsonable.  I wish I had a nickle for everytime someone told me I should do it one way or the other. I hurt everyday because my kids think I am the problem, today I realized I am not the problem.  Coming from a divorced family is not easy I am sure, I never came from one.  My dad died many years ago and my mom never remarried.  But I do know that the parents get blamed for everything.  I know that there are battles between Exs and things are said about the other but what ever happened to respect?   Kids today are spoiled!  I know we all heard the "I had to walk 5 miles to school" speech from our parents but I never grew up with all the technology of today. I survived. Trying to have a conversation with your child and they are texting their friend while your talking is simply rude.  When your kid can spend a day next door and not even stop to say hello that is crap in my book.  What is wrong with the kids today?  I do know this, We as parents do the best we can do everyday and my hats off to the parents who's kids end up half way decent.  I always wanted to be a better parent than my dad.  I respect him to this day, But I know I do my best, my problem???  Not anymore.  Thanks my friends and you know who you are for helping me realize it is all of us struggling and the burden does not lay on my shoulders only.  You can look at it one of two ways, look at your kids and say what the hell or simply give in to their every request.  I am going to take the what the hell approach.  I just hope the kids if today will realize what we as parents have tried to do for them before it is to late. They won't but you got to believe in something!