Stupid Guest Tricks

Here in Southern California, the Los Angeles Times offers a camping experience for underpriviledged kids. It is supported by donations from the general public and corporations. They run a brief story of a needy child who deserves to go to camp for two weeks, and most of these profiles are kids trying to get away from high-crime neighborhoods, or kids that are taking on responsibilities beyond their years to help needy family members, or kids who have big dreams and come from impoverished families, but manage to maintain high grades at school. Every day a different child is featured.They also have camps for kids with special needs. People who are well-off can afford to send their kids to camp, but it's these poor kids that literally have nothing to do and are tempted to join gangs that need them the most.

Of course, when I was a kid, my parents made sure to keep us kids busy, or we went on camping trips. I really think the root of the problem is parents aren't spending enough time with their kids; the so-called "quality time" of 15 minutes isn't what I mean. Parents made an effort to be with their kids, talk to them, interact with them, and generally get to know their children better.The reason most kids get into trouble is that they don't get enough parental attention. Parents these days are too busy doing their own thing, fulfilling their own needs, the kids are an afterthought. And kids that don't get enough attention from their parents get into trouble the most. This has been proven over and over again. Kids do bad things because it gets them attention, even though that attention results in punishment.

felinefan wrote:
Of course, when I was a kid, my parents made sure to keep us kids busy, or we went on camping trips. I really think the root of the problem is parents aren't spending enough time with their kids; the so-called "quality time" of 15 minutes isn't what I mean. Parents made an effort to be with their kids, talk to them, interact with them, and generally get to know their children better.The reason most kids get into trouble is that they don't get enough parental attention. Parents these days are too busy doing their own thing, fulfilling their own needs, the kids are an afterthought. And kids that don't get enough attention from their parents get into trouble the most. This has been proven over and over again. Kids do bad things because it gets them attention, even though that attention results in punishment.

When i was young, my parents both worked. Before they left for work, i was already outside riding my bike, building a fort, playing tag, or whatever with the other neghborhood kids whos parents also worked. I think the problem is the lack of available greenspace for kids to actually play in as more and more cities pave over anything green and stick a condo, plaza or parking lot on it.

We didn't have playdates; whenever we wanted to play with the neighbor's kid, we went over to see if they were home, asked permission, and played. Kids today are too overscheduled. I don't think kids should have so many things going at once. They should be allowed time to daydream, have hobbies, and get to know their parents and siblings as people, not as carers and competitors.

I've been to the Alice Springs Reptile Centre. It is a nice place, very open and friendly. It was a shame what happened. I contacted the owner asking if I could make a donation. He is quite upset, of course, but he directed me to Wildcare http://www.wildcare.com.au/