Than any kid is.

We are parents whether the blended family oppostion, the Skids or even our own SOs want to believe it or not.

As for the Skids ... we are better at being the age that they are, regardless of what age they are, because we have been there and done that. With the limited exception of Sparents who have Skids who are older than the Sparent ... but that is another story.

If a snarky kid wants to try to get away with something,it ain't happenin without consequences. I have pulled more wool over parental eyes, tried more crazy kid stuff and tried every and all ways to get away with stuff. And unlike the Skids of today. I occassionally got away with it. I had to work very hard at it because my parents were and remain diligent, commited and involved.

So my son ....

I may not catch you the first time, but I will catch you. I may give you the benefit of the doubt the first time, but I still doubt that what you are telling me is the truth. You think that the garbage bins are placed where they are because that is the logical place for them? Nope, they are there because that is where you try to sneek out, or sneek in. The parrot is where he is because I know that whenever he see's or hears you he calls your name excitedly day or night and oh by the way, that pretty red light in the corner of the family room is a MOTION DETECTOR. And when you try to leave a window cracked so that you can sneak out late at night, I know which window is open. That is why when you try that window at 1:00 you always find it locked. The beauty of a college education is that your house can have a cool security system that tells the person with the master code everything.

I am an engineer kid. I know who you talk to on-line, what you say, where you surf what you look at. I see every text message you send or receive.

I know people. When you say you are at a friends and instead are out getting goofy at night I know. I have done the same things. The difference is I was smart enough to get away with it .... rarely, but I did get away from it occassionally.

So, if you want to argue from your ..... 6yo, 10yo, 13yo, 18yo ..... perspective, I can get right down to your level and out 6yo you every time.

You see, I am a parent and I have been 6yo and I have the added advantage of a life time of experience to augment my experience as a 6yo. Someday, if you listen, and learn, just maybe you will not have to feel the consequences of poor decisions and you too can catch your own kid at a game that you were trained at by a master. And you will raise your kids to be young men and women of character just as I have raised you. That is why I will always be a parent. Because you will improve on how I raised you just as I have improved on how your grandparents raised me. I will be a part of your children, grand children and great grand children. Because I raised you.

You see my son, the only permanent decision that a person can make any more is to be a parent. Unfortunately relationships/marriages are not necessary permanent. That is why you have me in your life. But once you are a parent, you are always a parent. For ever.

I may not have spawned you with your mother but I have raised you as my own since you were 1yo. I have given you every lesson on becoming a man that your Deepa gave me plus a few I learned on my own. I have done everything possible to raise you to be far better than the toxic, poluted and shollow end of your gene pool would have you be.

I have raised you as a Rags. You are no less a Rags than I am, your cousins are or your mother and Deema and Deepa are.

Soon you will be 20yo. I have been 20 too. I know what 20 is. You are not quite an adult and you are no longer a kid. What you are is a smart, capable and caring young man of character. You have cracks in that character. Every 20yo does. Heck, every 48yo does. I am still working on the cracks in my own character.

So, no matter how much you may want to be independent right now, I am still part of that voice on your shoulder when you are doing the right thing or the wrong thing. You know what is right and what is wrong. So chose wisely.

I am your dad kid. I will always be your dad. Never doubt that, never forget that and never forget that no matter what you are thinking and no matter what you are doing, I know. I have been there. I am there with you as you pepare to go through it at 20 just as I have been with you since you were 1yo.

And one more thing that you had better fix if you don't want me hip deep in your life.

CALL YOUR MOTHER!

Love,
Dad