You’re an ‘a’

Not too long ago I was performing at an elementary school (actually I do this all the time, but…you get the picture). After I finished up and was packing away my stuff, one kid ran up to me and said, “I wish you were my dad!” I was quite flattered and said, “I’m sure your dad is pretty cool already” when he looked at me and said something I don’t think I will ever forget…”No he’s not, he calls me an ‘a'”. At that, he turned and ran off, for which I was quite glad since I really didn’t know what to say.

After thinking about it during my drive to the next school I was performing at, I still couldn’t think of anything I would say to that kid, but I sure could come up with a list of things I would say to his dad. Is it any wonder that we see more and more kids lose the ability to respect people? That they talk trash more than ever and see nothing wrong with it? It all starts at home. Treat your kids with some respect, don’t call them names, teach by example. I’ve had quite a few experiences where I wanted to slap some parent up side the head.

A few weeks ago I was at a campground and some dad was yelling at his kid something along the lines of “if you don’t shut your trap right now I’m going to slap you up one side of this car and down the other”. The mom hurried out and hushed her husband, not here, people are watching. Why does it matter if people are watching. If you’re going to be a jerk to your kids, why does it matter where you do it? If you treat them like trash, is it any wonder they grow up acting like it?

Just one of those many observations that I’ve had touring the world.