He was just ready to walk down the slanted concrete into the road so I slowed down looking frantically for an adult to follow or be nearby. There was none.
So I began to brake thinking I needed to swoop up this child and find his mother or father or someone caring for him. Only then did I see a women, I assume to be his young mother, race out of a home across the street and run toward the child shouting, "Oh my God, oh my God!"
Of course a lot of assumptions and wonderings went through my mind but who really knows what happened. Hopefully it was a terrible mistake or carelessness that will never happen again.
Thankfully a potential tragedy was averted because this woman didn't know where her child was at every moment.
But I sometimes wonder if parents who would never dream of neglecting a child and endangering its life this way still don't know where their kids are. At least they don't know much about their well being spiritually, socially, emotionally and even physically.
Parents everyday find out that their child is doing or feeling things they never knew about. And most of us are shocked when it happens, aren't we? We wonder how we didn't have a clue. In the worst cases it's parents of kids who end up killing someone later who apparently just looked the other way a time or two.
How do we keep track of our kids in real terms? Well, there's no full-proof method but there are some places we can start.
Talk to them. Sure teens especially can be hard to connect with but always try. No matter what their age, don't badger, talk. Spend time with them beyond driving them places. Build a relationship by doing things together. Make it easier for them by listening, not lecturing.
Observe them. Take note of changes, odd actions or habits that suddenly change. Do not look the other way and always assume that these occurrences are just because of their age. That might be true but don't be naive.
Guard them. Yes, it's still a cruel world and kids can't handle all the pressure on their own. Guard against their doing too much, not getting enough rest and hanging with the wrong crowd. Don't be a t tyrant or a safety fanatic but you must still be the parent and say "no" when your gut tells you something is not a good idea.
Teach them. Model healthy behavior, time management and faith. Teach them what it means to practically love God and follow Christ. Serve with them and give them opportunities to use their gifts to help others. Show them how to rest, care for others and do things that really matter.
You won't want or need to follow them around but you can still know where they are much of the time.
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