Virgo
I was raised in a strict household. My parents bore offspring from the early-50's to the mid-60's. I was around the middle of this brood. With nine mouths to feed, we did not have a lot of extras. We worked for simple things, like bicycles.
Nothing wrong with that. It's what we knew. And we were given a great foundation, on which we could create a life for ourselves. As I said, my parents were strict - which made me not wish to be such with my kids.
Ah, my kids... I'm in my forties, and my wife is a bit younger. I make a fine income, and try not to sweat anything. I get up, have coffee, look out at the ocean, read the paper, move onto my business.
I appreciate not having a house full of screaming kids in the morning (something that was impossible when I grew up). All I ask of my kids is to: a) be respectful of everyone, b) be honest c) get good grades, d) clean their rooms.
I do not ask for much, nor do I demand much. However, that is going to change tonight. Events that occurred this morning will bring about change like these kids have never known. The wife has kept me in the dark about some things as well.
It's my fault. I accept it. But I can reverse this downward trend - now. My generation (baby-boomers) has found that it is easier to go around a wall, than climb over over it - or knock it down. I'm as guilty as anyone.
My guilt turned into rage this morning. My son (and my wife) convinced me that he NEEDED a car (he's seventeen).
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Yes, it's been since July.
By glop, November 14, 2006 at 14:00Yes, it's been since July. Surely there's some new development by now!
http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/lax/184295834.html
Ahh, seems we have an
By Heather Wallace, November 15, 2006 at 07:31Ahh, seems we have an infamous story on our hands!
Well, I'm glad to see that
By Cecilia, November 15, 2006 at 09:25Well, I'm glad to see that Craigslist's users like Mike are finding in Orato a valuable alternative to post good stories like this one. I'm sure that many more people would like to make use of our 100% story oriented Web site to showcase their articles. I can only hope that they do it. And I also hope that Mikes gives us an update on his situation (Are you still married?)
Cecilia Jamasmie
Associate Editor, Orato.com
Well, Mike, the entire Orato
By Paul Sullivan, November 13, 2006 at 17:03Well, Mike, the entire Orato audience is sitting on the edge of its seat, waiting to hear how Armageddon goes.
Once you re-assume command, of course, you'll be responsible for the outcome!
Paul Sullivan,
Editor-In-Chief
Ha ha ha! I had a really
By Lowrider, November 10, 2006 at 16:48Ha ha ha! I had a really good laugh after reading your story. You sound exactly like one of my parents. In fact they did send me to boarding school and I can assure you that drugs were much easier to come by and there wasn't a person there to do much about it. I even got threatened with military college once I had completed high school which would probably have turned me into a complete psychopath.
Sounds to me like you need to connect with your family in a way that they're not expecting. Have you thought of taking them all on a vacation - somewhere they are away from their normal distractions and somewhere they can't get hold of their normal pharmaceuticals - legal or otherwise. I'm sure they're expecting you to come down really hard on them like some kind of Godzilla which will probably drive them - including your wife - further away from you. One day you might relish sleeping on the patio with her still at home...
I bet you're the kind of parent that never fails to remind your children of how hard it was for you growing up in a large family. Yes - well believe it or not your kids probably have a lot of pressure to fit in amongst their peers. Obviously your son - the moron - is interested in cars, so why not nurture that interest. Take him to your local track. Help him to find a direction of some sort. You might find that if you have some respect for his interests then he might start treating you with some respect. Just a thought. Anyways, you know how the saying goes: "Like father, like son". Good luck!
This was a very intelligent
By Heather Wallace, November 10, 2006 at 20:52This was a very intelligent response to Mike's story, from the teen's perspective.
Low Rider: Can you send us a boarding school story?
Mike: The e-mail address you registered with doesn't work...I wanted to let you know I moved your story to Love and Friendship.
Cheers,
Heather Wallace
Acting Senior Editor
Hi Mike, Sounds like you
By Heather Wallace, November 10, 2006 at 16:26Hi Mike,
Sounds like you have your hands full!! I agree with you about those Juicy pants by the way.
Let us know if you ended up sleeping on the patio!