Gen Goonie

[mellie]

My eldest child, a son, is currently being externally contracted via our government , has developed something ( technology) that has to do with our nations security. Something he won't discuss, not even with me, his mamma

He's not engaged in active service, I guess, but is still serving our government and military in a roundabout way, so...

He was in scout's and Air League as a youth if this counts?

[mellie]

All I know is that he's being patriotic and useful, and this is more than enough for me. To me, he's my little trooper still, even if he's over 6 foot , not so little anymore.

Am very proud of him, am very proud of all 3 of my kids.

🥲

[mellie]

Unfortunately, my own children didn't even come close to enjoying the same freedoms I had as a child, they were under a microscope at all times, no sleepovers at other kids houses, so of course this meant they all ended up at our house, and nothing's changed.

Lol- Glutton for punishment I know, but at least I know they're safe, I don't trust other kid's parents enough to excercise the same degree of caution or care that I do.

Other local kids are allowed to go to our local park, as a group, however I insist on being present, watching them from my car at least, so....

Very different times, but I think kids still need supervision even when teenagers which is when they can get into strife.

Besides, my kid is too busy with her dance 4 nights a week and homework to be loitering about, she doesn't have the time, especially with her extra responsibilities at both school and dance.

Kids need stuff to do, parents shouldn't expect youth to entertain themselves without providing them with activities etc.

Sure it's expensive, but I manage, and I'm a solo parent. So...

No excuses really.


It annoys me when I hear parents moan and claim they can't afford to provide their kids with an extracurricular activity.

It's bullshit. Why have them if you're not prepared to make sacrifices to ensure they have a decent chance of becoming a productive human being, members of society?

[mellie]

My parents always made sure that in-between being a free-range kid, I had extracurricular activities. Always.

These kids roaming the streets these day's don't have anything, no parental guidance, no extracurricular activities, no internet connections, devices, NOTHING!!

THEY'RE BORED!!

Perhaps extracurricular activities need to be incorporated into the public schools curriculum, say two nights after school, and it needs to be compulsory to ensure that these kids are at least interacting with some positive role models, rather than returning to either an empty home, or one that has undesirable role models, passed-out on the sofa?

The culture of attending extra-curricular activities needs to start when they're as young as possible, 5 is a good age for at least 1, one afternoon a week for at least an hour.

We'd be killing multiple birds with one stone.

Victorian sporting vouchers are good, however some deadbeat parents don't even have the initiave to get them there, much less register them for a sport.

If they were incorporated within the public school curriculum, they would have no choice.

Scout's, Guides , dance, and other sports something for all kids, even those who aren't sport minded.

Gets them out and socialising in positive ways among positive role models and peers.

[tllwd]

My father is currently reading a really good book, Anglo Saxons, a history there of ( something like this) by a Marc Morris ( I think this is the spelling) I'm keen to read this when he's finished with it.

Ask him what he knows about Nova Anglia in northern Black Sea

[mellie]

Oooohh, I will, but best I read up on it myself first, at the risk of sounding daft.