There are a lot of differences of opinions in bringing up children. There are no rule books, but certainly rights and wrongs.

I think kids today are more "knowledgeable" than we were in my day .. 60's. We did'nt have all the PC games, access to internet, movies, sex ed that they do today.

Most of the parents these days are still children themselves! Where does guidance/teaching stop and responsibility begin?

I have two sons. My youngest, he will be 16 this year, is what's termed a "straight A student". He has always excelled at school, is very polite and respectful of everyone, not just his elders. I am constantly praised on the way both conduct theirselves. So imagine my surprise when I got a phone call a few weeks ago from another parent telling me J was there, he was ok, but was .. drunk!

Within seconds I went through a gammet of emotions. Worry. Panic. Anger.

I was trying to compute in my head the why's, hows and wherefores whilst on route to get him.

He has been brought up knowing rights and wrongs. He is'nt a trouble maker, a layabout, a disruptable child. And he most certainly isn't a drunk! And yet, I was shocked to say the least, that this could happen to ........ my son!

All the cossetting and teaching in the world cannot protect our children from other outside influences. All we can do is hope they have enough common sense to know better, and not bow down to peer pressure. In this instance, unfortunately, J did. Regrettably, and with promises it will never happen again. Oh, and suitably punished.

But once they step outside the front door, it's a wing and a prayer they remember what they have been taught, until they walk back in it again. Sadly, not every parent have the skills, and yes, it's a skillful role, or the same thinking/morals as "you" have, and our kids interact with others from all walks of life and ideas.

It's hard. And it certainly does'nt get any easier as they get older!