I think that I live in a part of the country where courtesy
is the norm and then I think about the middle school children
that I have been around a lot the last three years. There
seems to be such a critical spirit among them. They are
coping with technology that changes daily, their culture and
a huge hormonal surge but that is no excuse for behaving so
badly. They also have a lot of peer pressure and when that
happens, they join in unless they have enough
backbone to resist it.

Children have not been taught to respect their elders and to
have compassion for people who are disabled or elderly. Perhaps this bus incident will be a wake up call. They are
living in a child centered world where they are catered to
on every hand. I see this in my own grandchildren whose
needs are primary. It was far different in my generation
where getting a baby sitter and getting away for an evening
was a big treat. Now, family vacations at Disney World or
other child centered venues are the norm. Is it any wonder
that that commencement speaker told them they aren't special? I have never been asked to babysit in the evening
so my son and daughter in law could have an evening out.
They would feel guilty if they went out to dinner without
the children.

Parents need to have a life of their own and put mouthy
children in their place. They are part of the family and
not entitled Princesses and Princes. You learn what you
live when all is said and done.