Well, we've just wrapped up another stressful week. I thought to myself, here I am offering advice, but I sure wish someone could tell me, what's goin' on in the world. What are we doin'? Just watching the news can wear u out as it is, but, when the stories are focusing on children... child abuse, child neglect, child molestion... it's outta control! I jokingly say a lot of the youth today are angry because of these bad names we've given them, you know, the ones where we are combining the mama's and the daddy's names, and then adding a hyphenated something or other. And with all of societies turmoil permeating their lives, -you know - ..."my IPOD (that I shouldn't have had at school) got stolen",..."I can't stand my Algebra teacher", or, ..."is her baby daddy - my baby daddy?")... no wonder these kids can't think straight.

I'm around many young people everyday, and all I can say is, as adults, many of us are not doing our job as role models and mentors, very effectively. It's painful to see a child striving to the best of their ability, and there's no one there to appreciate and praise their efforts. Keep in mind though - these are the people who will care for you when you are older, and that thought in itself should scare us all... If we don't start in the home, the kids begin looking to outside influences, many of whom have selfish motivations. We are too priviledged and educated in this society for our kids to keep making some of the mistakes they do, and falling into the societal and economic traps waiting for them, when they don't work at what it takes to be successful in life. People want to blame the record labels and rappers when our young queens are lining up to be half naked and rump shakin' in music videos. But those are our daughters, nieces, sisters and friends. It is our charge to inform them that they are valuable, and not meant to be exploited. It should all begin at home, that's it, that's all - though I know some will beg to differ with me, and I realize there is the exception to every rule, some of them don't have the support of family, and whomever they have, may not have the resources and abilities to give them a satisfactory home life. Give your child that extra few minutes they are asking for – and don’t respond when they wake you up from a nap you have no business taking in the middle of the day, by throwing things at them... you should be at work setting an example anyway!!! By no means have I been a perfect parent, but trust me, it's "mzstephensbizness" to tell you that the smallest thing you do for a child can make a difference.