I recently read MOVING ON, by Jeff Zaslow on the Wall Street Journal and it made me think.

I worry about our future, not to mention our kids’. The litigious environment that we’re living in is just getting worse by the minute. I totally understand that with the rise of internet predators, the media depictions of pedophile priests and all other depraved individuals that we have to protect our kids. Just remember, however, that although these depraved individuals are plentiful, they are not the norm. They just happen to be the media’s “flavor of the month”. Except for the internet related depravity, these acts of immorality existed long before we were so well connected by the web. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I recently signed up to be an Assistant Den Leader at my son’s Cub Scout Pack. Luckily, our group of parents and kids is small, family oriented and tight knit. The article made me think twice about putting myself in that position though. I’ll write more about Scouting in future posts.

I admit, I react quickly to comfort kids who are lost in malls or stores, there at the ready with a helping hand and a comforting voice. Regardless of the potential for getting sued by some over protective smother-parent I don’t think I’ll ever change. It is the parental instinct in me that kicks in when needed, and I hope it never proves to be detrimental. I would hope that some decent human being does the same for me if I ever lost track of my kids.

I guess all I’m saying is give people the benefit of the doubt first (within reason). Teach your kids to be wary of strangers(absolutely!), but do it without teaching them to crucify everybody that says hello. Shoot first and ask questions later ….. not always the best policy.