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Each week our Boomer-In-Charge, Hershel Chicowitz, has something to say about life, society, or what's going on... from the perspective of a baby boomer. This is what's on his mind the week of May 3:
Most of the boomer parents who wrote in response to last week's essay were glad that someone said what they were feeling. That pleased me. We like hearing from you, and we (read: I) will respond to your comments about this and all my silly essays. But some visitors asked me what more they could or should do. Now that scared the heck out of me. I used 1,000 words to say that there is little (if anything) that the federal government can do about this mess. I also claimed that I was not ready to admit failure. Sure; that's easy for me; I do not have any kids (other that my adorable Australian Shepherd, Princess.) Boomer parents asked me, "What else should I do?"
Well how the heck am I supposed to know? I am not a psychologist; I am not a politician; I am not a nameless, faceless bureaucrat hiding in the bowels of Washington making up regulations that you have to obey. I'm just some yacking, big-mouth, middle-aged boomer on the Internet. Gees!
And even if I did have the answers, how could I fit them into a 1,000-word essay? The solution to this mess we have created is not a 10-second sound bite or 1,000-word essay, much as we would like it to be. This much I know is true.
So I talked to a few friends who supposedly know more than I do. Without proposing any concrete answers, we came up with 20 questions. . . questions that might lead you to your own answers.
Or not.
1. Have you had a conversation (a conversation. . . not just a few words) with your child about the tragedy in Littleton?
2. Do you think that something like what happened in Littleton could happen at your child's school? If not, why not? And if so, what are you doing to prevent it. . . or is that someone else's responsibility?
3. How much time do you spend each week watching TV? How much time do you spend each week with your child?
4. What video games does your child play? How much time does he/she spend playing them?
5. Does your child have an Internet web site? Have you seen it? Have you seen it recently? Is the computer your child uses at home in an open area of the house, or is it in your child's bedroom where you can't supervise its use?
6. What are your child's favorite television shows? When was the last time you watched them?
7. What kind of music does your child listen to? When was the last time you spent 30 minutes listening to it?
8. Do you allow your child to purchase or listen to CD's with "parental warnings" on them? Why or why not?
9. Does your child watch R-rated movies? Why or why not? Would you know if he/she did? Are you sure?
10. Do you allow your child to wear clothing with crude or violent messages on them?
11. What would you do if you saw one of your child's friends wearing clothing with crude or violent messages on them?
12. What is the name of your child's (home room) teacher? What is the name of the principal at your child's school?
13. In what courses in school is your child enrolled? How much homework does your child do every night? Are you sure? When was the last time you looked at your child's homework?
14. How many school functions do you attend each year? When was the last time you attended one?
15. What have you told your child about the use of tobacco and illegal drugs? When did you first have such a discussion? When did you last have such a discussion?
16. What are the names of three of your child's close friends? What are their parents' names? When was the last time you talked to them? What did you talk about? Does your child socialize with kids significantly older (2-3 years) than he/she?
17. Does your child associate with kids who use illegal drugs? Would you know if he/she did? Are you sure? Does your child use illegal drugs? Would you know if he/she did? Are you sure? Exactly what would you do if you found out your child was using illegal drugs? Is your child well aware of exactly what would happen if he/she uses drugs?
18. Do you think of your child as your friend? Does he/she think of you as a friend?
19. Who are the five people your child admires most? Why does he/she admire them?
20. And finally, as I asked last week, do you have anything more important to do than nurture, protect, and enhance the welfare of your child? If so, please tell me what is? Tell us all what it is.
If you want to write more, we're open to offerings from other boomers. If you have something to say of interest to boomers, write it as well as you can in 700-900 words, and send it to us. We can't guarantee we'll publish it, but we'll surely consider it.
For more of Hershel's essays, check the BBHQ Archives or the Boomer Essays.
| The BBHQ Album of the Month is "Old Friends Live on Stage (Deluxe Edition) (2 CD/1 DVD)," by Simon & Garfunkel. If you were fortunate enough to see them in concert last year, I do not have to sell you. The concert was terrific! This album collection includes 55 songs, plus their new recording, "Citizen of the Planet," and one of the songs sung by the Everly Brothers during the concert. The DVD was recorded during their concert in Madison Square Garden in 2003. For any S&G fan, this is a must have! But then, you knew that already, didn't you? |
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The BBHQ Book of the Month is
"Vinyl Highway," by
Dee Dee Phelps. You remember her as Dee Dee, of Dick and Dee Dee.
Together, they took a decade long ride on the rock and roll roller
coaster. It was a heck of a ride! Dick Clark, Quincy Jones, the Beach
Boys, Glenn Campbell, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Vinton... Dick and Dee Dee
rubbed shoulders with all of them. This is her "behind the scenes" story.
It's pretty cool.
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