Making Lemonade out of Lemons

 I try not to write posts that are controversial or of sensitive nature.  This time I went went ahead.

  I read a most disturbing article this morning.

Girls in New York City who can't take Tylenol at school without jumping through hoops  are now able to take the morning after pill. These teens in thirteen NYC schools are also able to receive birth control injections from the school nurse. They can make decisions concerning their body when it comes to birth control but not when it comes to making the decision to drink a king size soda. I never say this, but feel it appropriate now, smh!

 Years ago, my sister ran through a door in High School cutting her forearm badly.  She couldn't get stitches until my mom could be contacted and gave consent. She could have bled to death, but needed parental consent.  Now we leave major decisions in the hands of our teens?

Girls fourteen and up are able to get these and other forms of birth control from the school nurse at their teenage will.  Letters were sent to the parents with the chance to opt out; some in the mail and in other schools letters were sent through the students. 

I know my kids don't get notes to me on a regular basis; I feel sure the schools know this is a possibility with these students as well.  Parents are already saying they have received no such letter.  The only way these girls will not be able to receive the birth control is if a note is checked, signed and returned opting them out of the service. I find it suspicious that only 1 to 2% of parents have returned the note.

Why not have it the other way around? Why did the schools not reserve the service for students whose parents give them permission to receive the morning after pill or other birth control? It shouldn't be done at all.

See full article http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=17310468

I've spent a lot of migraines and eye twitches being torn up about things of this nature; large and looming problems which I feel I have no control over. These kinds of programs and services break down the family rather than seek to build it. 

I'm well aware that there are kids involved in activities that their parents know nothing about who find themselves in situations which need to be dealt with delicately.  In other instances parents may know what there children are engaging in but feel helpless.

One important thing I learned when teaching is that parents care much more for their children's well-being than they are often able to express.

If the school has any business in the raising of these kids, and that's what they are at fourteen/fifteen-KIDS, then that business should be partnering with parents as long as that is a possibility. 

I fumed about this today.  Jason told me I was scaring him.

I spewed irritation from my soapbox for some time before deciding to get down and do something about it.

 Jason and I are Hallie's advocate. We will be the ears that listen to Rylie. We will be the voice Hayden hears. We will seek Godly counsel as we raise our children.

 The influence I hope to have when she is High School starts now; it started yesterday.  It's my job to ensure she's open with me.  It's mine and Jason's job to have an open dialogue now that will lead her to make good decisions when she's older.

This news about birth control being recklessly given to girls was like lemons. I decided to make lemonade. I wish I could make lemonade and share it with all of the girls and moms; all the families. But tonight I started with Hallie.

 I picked her up from twirling tonight and took a spontaneous, but intentional trip to Target.

Just me and Hallie.

We talked. A lot. We bought Cocoa/Marshmallow Three Musketeers.  I told her that I want to be the first person she comes to when she needs to talk.  I let her show me what shoes she liked. I listened.

Today I fumed about lemons.

Tonight I shopped and made lemonade.