"kid business". I would love to live in a place that had standard societal norms. I grew up with that. Right, wrong, manners, respect...it was all standard issue stuff: "Don't cut in line", "After you!", "please/thank you"..."Don't forget to thank Mrs. Smith for the ride home" - from Mom - along with verification when you got in the door). I'm sure most in my age group here, not only grew up with that, but still happily practice those customs.

There were no mental gymnastics to be had in those days. Life was very simple. Everyone agreed on a whole lot of things. But "Please" and "Thank you" are not a standard cordial ritual now. Uttering those words are a sign of weakness in some quarters these days...how the hell we've gotten here?

But back to "properly" raising children... I found that teaching my morality to my children...actually "ingraining" that morality in my children (so important as I thought that was)...over time, (sigh)...I actually started to worry that I could have possibly put them at a disadvantage in today's world. "Rules" changed so fast. And "following the rules" (my rules, anyway - the ones I grew up with) wasn't for the majority anymore - it was for the suckers. (like a quote from Goodfellas).

I really, sincerely, struggled, especially seeing how those that didn't do the "right" thing were so often rewarded. It's a terrible thing really, really, wanting to be the best parent you can be...paying attention to anything and everything...wanting the best for your kids...I put everything I had into doing the best by them...all in a world seemingly with no boundaries, and changing norms. And in the end, all I can take credit for is making sure they are tough enough for what awaits them. That's a long way from Utopia, but that's all I got.

To me, what is happening now is a breakdown of the definition of "society". And I want out.