DEAR ABBY: "Missing the Old Days in Arizona City" (May 8), the mother of a small child, wondered how parents can feel safe raising kids in a world that is "crazy and scary." I, too, worry about the state of the world today, but find comfort in my children and in the fact that I am trying to raise them to be among the "good guys."
When I was a brand-new mom, I was in an elevator with two teenage boys. When the door opened, one of the boys started to get off first. The other boy put his arm in front of his friend and motioned for me to go ahead. I was moved by his simple gesture of thoughtfulness and good manners. I thanked him and asked him to also thank his mother for me, for doing such a wonderful job raising such a polite young man. I promised myself that day that I would raise my children (I now have three) to be like him.
Please tell "Missing the Old Days" there is good everywhere. She just needs to look for it and to always acknowledge polite gestures so her children and others can see that there is still civility in this "scary place" we call home. -- MARGIE IN RENO, NEV.
DEAR MARGIE: I like the way you think. As more people respond to each other with kindness, we create a more positive world in which to live, one good deed at a time. Read on:
DEAR ABBY: I am so tired of people talking about how civilization is falling apart. Human history is filled with senseless acts of violence that I am sure predate the written word. I think that because the media today are able to bring us violence from across the globe, it appears to be more prevalent.
You cannot live your life in fear of what might happen. You can only do your best to prevent bad things from happening to yourself and to others. Stand up and say "That's not right" when you see something "bad" happen. Only through our own actions can we change the world we live in. -- PHILLIP IN BATTLE CREEK
DEAR ABBY: I, too, get discouraged by the negativity portrayed by the media. But I've found that volunteering is a great way to find renewed faith in humanity. Even if it's just an hour or two a month at a shelter or a local organization, it is uplifting to come together with others who are also trying to do good. -- WILLING TO HELP IN GRANITE CITY, ILL.
DEAR ABBY: I agree with your advice. My husband and I have a 13-month-old son. Like any loving parent, I want to provide a better world for him and all other children. We make choices in our lifestyle that foster a safe and loving environment. We limit TV, treasure our family time, and protect him from exposure to anything we deem inappropriate for his age.
I want to show my son that even though bad things happen, each of us has the power to help others. Our children learn these important lessons through our example.
Rather than despair about news that often makes me want to cry, I have decided to take action. I want to do everything I possibly can to improve the world my child will inherit and teach him how to take care of it when it's his turn. -- A MOTHER AND TEACHER IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.
When I was a brand-new mom, I was in an elevator with two teenage boys. When the door opened, one of the boys started to get off first. The other boy put his arm in front of his friend and motioned for me to go ahead. I was moved by his simple gesture of thoughtfulness and good manners. I thanked him and asked him to also thank his mother for me, for doing such a wonderful job raising such a polite young man. I promised myself that day that I would raise my children (I now have three) to be like him.
Please tell "Missing the Old Days" there is good everywhere. She just needs to look for it and to always acknowledge polite gestures so her children and others can see that there is still civility in this "scary place" we call home. -- MARGIE IN RENO, NEV.
DEAR MARGIE: I like the way you think. As more people respond to each other with kindness, we create a more positive world in which to live, one good deed at a time. Read on:
DEAR ABBY: I am so tired of people talking about how civilization is falling apart. Human history is filled with senseless acts of violence that I am sure predate the written word. I think that because the media today are able to bring us violence from across the globe, it appears to be more prevalent.
You cannot live your life in fear of what might happen. You can only do your best to prevent bad things from happening to yourself and to others. Stand up and say "That's not right" when you see something "bad" happen. Only through our own actions can we change the world we live in. -- PHILLIP IN BATTLE CREEK
DEAR ABBY: I, too, get discouraged by the negativity portrayed by the media. But I've found that volunteering is a great way to find renewed faith in humanity. Even if it's just an hour or two a month at a shelter or a local organization, it is uplifting to come together with others who are also trying to do good. -- WILLING TO HELP IN GRANITE CITY, ILL.
DEAR ABBY: I agree with your advice. My husband and I have a 13-month-old son. Like any loving parent, I want to provide a better world for him and all other children. We make choices in our lifestyle that foster a safe and loving environment. We limit TV, treasure our family time, and protect him from exposure to anything we deem inappropriate for his age.
I want to show my son that even though bad things happen, each of us has the power to help others. Our children learn these important lessons through our example.
Rather than despair about news that often makes me want to cry, I have decided to take action. I want to do everything I possibly can to improve the world my child will inherit and teach him how to take care of it when it's his turn. -- A MOTHER AND TEACHER IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.