Get Those Kids a Job!

My son completed the first day of an ongoing volunteering gig, cleaning up the properties of the aged and disabled for a local charity. He had a great time, and you can read all about it at Mrs. March's blog--my son is "T2".

When I was telling a friend about it, she said, "Community service? What did he do?" It took me a few moments to realize that she assumed the community service was of a court-ordered nature. I told her he was doing it with homeschooling friends as a volunteer project, of their own accord, just to be good citizens. It took me a while to explain what I thought was obvious: the kid's not being punished, he's just doing his duty as a human being.

When did volunteerism become associated with mandatory restitution? When did our children become so rotten that people react with disbelief when told about such an admirable project? I'm almost tempted to get the media involved--wouldn't it be a pleasant change to see "Kids Help Out, Without a Court Order" on the front of the Yakima Herald instead of the latest drive-by or arson.

Yes, my son volunteers. He also reads for fun, and right now he is playing basketball with his very annoying five year old sister. If you know of a young adult who can't see beyond his own zits and school dramas, get him a job--one that pays in self esteem and community pride.