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rockreaver
Aug 4, 2009, 4:42 AM
Views: 6960
Registered: Jun 5, 2009
Posts: 187
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You know I'm a parent and I'm a damned good one. I've been told it enough I feel I can quote that and spray a bit. My kids know how to have fun and rip up earth, turf, heaven and hell. However when I give them the "quiet" chat and pull out the bags of age appropriate distractions they shut it and get it done.
My wife and I share a view that kids who have a bag of age appropriate distractions (coloring, video games, pocket knives and whittling wood, etc...), food, snacks and parent instilled self-awareness can be taken anywhere and left largely unattended.
My kids have been to the crag admittedly our crags see 20 people a week instead of an hour. That doesn't mean I let my kids act like wild dogs even if I am there by myself. I let my kids hang it all out at the pool, the back yard and other spots like that but in the woods they respect the land and they respect my chance to enjoy it.
We take our kids everywhere and we talk with them about how they should act. We discuss in the car on the way over what behavior is okay and what behavior is not okay.
Now I do have 3 kids all young. If I packed them into your haunt and got them set up how would you feel? Understand that they would be spread out in a safe place on a blanket with chairs, plenty of food, distractions and a myriad of other things. They would know in advance to say "Hello", "Thank You" and "Let me get my parents for you."
If this situation would have caused you to walk on by and not even notice and not even make this post then I'll let you off the hook. Poorly managed kids ruin everyone's day and I have always believed that my rights end where yours begin and if you feel like you have the right to climb quietly, drop f-bombs and grope your partner that's fine. I'd rather you didn't but those are conversations I planned on having with my kids sooner or later and sooner is fine too. Know what I mean?
So let's aim for some redemption here. Would the situation I describe have sent you over to me and would you have said, "Your kids don't belong here it's not safe?" or would you have even noticed? Also understand that all of my kids even my 4 year old are pretty solid 5.7/5.8 climbers.
How would that situation sit with you? If you'd roll with the same response well then I guess you get what you get and that's how it goes. I don't condemn you or defend you. I'll just step around the body that has all the knives in it's back and tell my kids we'll talk about it later.  If however your response would be, "Whoa. That family kicks @$$. I didn't know people still had behaved kids." then sweet. Come on over and we'll pass the fruit snacks. 
Take care man. Not all parents are bad people and not all kids make bad parents. In time life has it's own rhythm don't force it. Close your eyes, test the hold and when it feels right make your move. It's all good.
Whatever you do though be kind to kids. I really believe that the adults in a kids life have the biggest influence on whether or not that kid grows up to shoot someone and that someone might be you. Your behavior will certainly influence the people around you especially kids.
I'll never forget when my son said, "Damn dad that looks fun." he was 7 and I made a mental note to have a chat about that word and that I'd never say that in front of him again.
Belay is on.
(This post was edited by rockreaver on Aug 4, 2009, 4:45 AM)
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Post edited by rockreaver
() on Aug 4, 2009, 4:45 AM
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