The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Our kids need us. That part we can all agree on, but it is the how that can sometimes get overwhelming, causing some of us to drag our feet and hope someone else will take up the cause.

The other barrier is sometimes we let the “Bad” kid or the troubled youth color our blank page for all kids, leaving us with an unfair representation of all kids in our area. Words like spoiled, undisciplined and out of control are common phrases and ideas that can sometimes bring down whole generations as we use our small example to classify the whole group.

Granted, kids these days have access to more than even kids 10 years ago did. But, (yeah, you all knew the but was coming) we do have a lot of responsibility for the attitudes we see today. I don’t want to dwell on what we did wrong or a better word failed to do for our kids. I want to challenge us all to fix it now.

For years and years, the local youth have said there is nothing to do in Coulee Country. To an extent, that is correct. In the past there were local businesses that tolerated the driving group of youngsters to “hang out” on their property. Flying J was the hangout when I was that age; before that Rapid Roberts welcomed the young at heart. But today? There is no place for them.

So … the need for a safe place, where kids can just hang out and be kids. Laugh together, learn together, experience what being young and a kid is all about. Once again, I will state a “safe place.” So that means this place must be controlled by responsible people who are positive influences in our kids’ lives.

Parents, I know, this is a scary world. There are some real monsters out there and even some scarier kids, but there has to be a way to balance it all out, and I know that there are people out there who can make a place like this happen and succeed for our kids. I don’t know what it might look like or all the ins and outs, but I know it is a need.

Positive role models. Yep, this is a big one, and as a parent and an employee of the school I know that this can be difficult to find positive things all the time. I know I have failed my kids and students on this subject before, but I am trying to get better. The phrase “It takes a village” means more today than ever before. Our kids are experiencing things that many adults cannot handle, and the kids have no control of some of these situations that are gripping their lives. Then we come in as authority figures and try to make them conform to a certain standard. Don’t get me wrong, I am not condoning or making excuses for disrespect or rebellious behavior. All I am saying is we need to be our best for the kids in our area “all the time.” It starts at home with parents, but that is just the foundation for their influences. The big one is, when we make a mistake we must own it and not teach our kids to blame others. Take responsibility. Work hard. Manners. Have fun. Love. Purity. Respect.

Big lessons, and they will not be learned overnight. If we as a community, as a culture decide to change the environment we provide for the future of our area, then we are contributing to a world changing society. It starts with each of us as individuals deciding to set standards and goals for our kids. If everyone who reads these words decides that it is time for Coulee Country to change into a kid friendly, kid safe, kid nurturing and kid empowering place, this area would bloom, (not overnight) to a welcoming place for all. The school is trying, but it takes a village to change the culture of our area.

The third and maybe most important part of this change would be for the kids themselves. First, you will have to get involved in the process. Not just watch and hope you like it. You will also have to examine yourself and make changes were they need to be made. There are plenty of people out there willing to help you. We know you can’t do it on your own because most of us can’t either. Set goals, even if they seem way too big for you, and go for them. Set boundaries for yourself and stay within them. Go big. Change the place you dwell and enjoy it.

I know, these are big lofty ideas and dream vision kicked into full effect, but I have faith in the youth and in the parents and leaders of the area. We can make our kids dreams come true. Let’s do it.