Things that make you go...WTF?!?

Since Jake started kindergarten, I've started to notice some things that really chap my ass about my generation's parenting skills. I give 25% of the parents at that school an F-. Hell, 25% is being kind. I realize that some, very few, but some kids have emotional troubles that they can't just be "parented" out of, but come on. I spend at least 3 days a week up at the school and I see a lot of great kids doing great things. However it's the bad kids doing bad things that really stick in my mind. Here are a few examples;

1) A kid in Jake's class brought a half smoked cigarette to school.
2) That same kid has rotten teeth and refuses to do anything with the class other than make farting sounds and go play in the bathroom every 2 minutes.
3) Kids hitting each other for no damn reason. Just out of nowhere, or with very little provocation.
4) Rampant sass mouth. From preschool on up, kids talk back to teachers like it's no big deal.
5) Kids that don't know the alphabet at 5! Reading? That is years away for some of these kids.

Those are just a few of the things I see as being a direct result of piss-poor parenting. Because of those parents refusing to do the only job that really matters in the world, other children suffer for it. Every day. Teachers have to take so much time out of their already crammed full lessons to try and discipline children who spent the first 5 years of their lives not being told, "NO", once. So instead of making the most out of their time at school, the kids who actually want to learn can't. Constant interruption isn't conducive to learning but what do those parents care about that right? Learning? Who cares right? They are just counting the days until those kids are 18 and out of their home.

Kids are not a goddamn fashion accessory, pet, status symbol, or your little plaything you pick up when you are bored after work. They aren't going to learn take responsibility, become good people, or be emotionally fit without your guidance. My generation is failing our kids in the worst way possible. Sure they are fed, and clothed, and housed....but that is shit you have to do by law. What about respect for authority? Respect for elders? Respect for their peers? Teaching them to shut up and listen because they might hear something cool? I have seen only one other parent out of 24 kids come and volunteer at preschool or kindergarten. Sure some of them work, but most treat school like a damn babysitter. They show up to pick the kids up and/or have a meeting about some bs the kid pulled in class.

This stuff is easy folks. You teach your kids what you were taught and make improvements along the way. If your parents failed you in some way...buck up sweetheart. Teach your kids the things you wish your parents had taught you. Get yourself a friend who is the kind of parent you wish you could be and then copy them step for step. Shit, do something. Because all I see is a whole lot of nothing.

I am not saying I am perfect by any means, but I damn sure try to be. I try my best at work and I get rewarded handsomely for it. However when I try my best as a parent, as a father...I am rewarded a thousand times over and it means more than any monetary bonus I could ever be paid. I just don't understand the disconnect I feel with so many of my peers. Am I the only one out there feeling more than a little bit pissed off?