Raising Good Kids Aint Easy

"Raise up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." ~ Proverbs 22:6

I like to think I am doing a pretty fair job raising my son, but I sometimes wonder how good a job I'm doing. Yesterday I read this story in AOL news:

Bank Robber Turned in by Sons Gets 40 Years
By JOHN O'CONNOR
AP
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A family man once regarded as a pillar of the community was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday for a string of bank robberies after being turned in by his own sons, who recognized him in a surveillance photo.

The judge imposed the minimum sentence on 64-year-old William Alfred "Al" Ginglen. Ginglen, who pleaded guilty in July to pulling seven bank robberies in 2003 and 2004, was also ordered to pay $56,382 in restitution.

U.S. District Judge Jeanne Scott called Ginglen's sons "the greatest credit of your life."

"They acted in an exemplary fashion under circumstances that must have been incredibly difficult," she said. "Someone taught them right from wrong, even when you didn't. Their actions perhaps saved your life."

You can read the rest of the article by clicking on the link above.

That article makes me think. I wonder if my son would turn me in if I was robbing banks. And if so, is that because I taught him to do the right thing or because he doesn't appreciate my efforts?

<--My son, mugging for the camera a couple of years ago.

I have mentioned before that my son is difficult to read, because he doesn't show emotions outwardly. Yesterday, I learned from a pastor that my son is not only participating in Wednesday night prayer meetings at the church where he goes on Wednesdays to skateboard in the parking lot, but that he actually requested prayer for his older brother. I was astounded. He never mentions his brother to me. Ever.

Just in case you missed it, a few months ago, his brother, my stepson, was shot in the back during a drive by type shooting in Kansas City. Two young girls were killed and 9 people were wounded, including my stepson. I wrote about it here.

Another thing that has an impact on him, and because it affects him, it affects me. His mom, who up until this year, had made at least some attempts to stay involved in his life, has apparently chosen now to bow out of it, without letting us know. She used to receive money to buy him Christmas and Birthday gifts from her parents, and would in turn send the money to him. This year, no money or even any correspondence has been received from her. I tried to call her but her number has been disconnected. She has left no forwarding number or address. I know he is hurt by her abandonment of him.

That is something he has mentioned.

But in spite of all that, he is still a pretty good kid. We have our moments. Just tonight I had to reprimand him again for throwing ink pens. (He has developed a habit of throwing my pens around, I think, just because he knows it annoys me) But at least he isn't a criminal, and doesn't hang around with gang bangers like his brother does.

There is a group of young men in our little town, around 18-20 years of age, who have something of a reputation for being involved in crimes like B&E and drugs. They attempted to befriend my son, but he wants nothing to do with them. He says he doesn't like them because they are "potheads".

Did I mention that he is one of the most popular kids in town?

I am proud of him for being discerning about that. But I still wonder how much of that is because of my influence. I think it has more to do with what he has seen happen to his brother over and over.

I suppose I should be thankful for little blessings. Whatever the reasons.

Incidently, I asked my son if he would turn me in if he found out I was robbing banks. He said, "I would turn you in but keep the money and tell the police you spent it all."

(sigh)