Teens + Boredom = TROUBLE

Let me see if I can get my mind around this and make some sense.

It is not up to the city to make sure your teenager stays out of trouble. It is not up to the city to entertain your teenager. It is not up to the city to make sure the teenagers make good decisions. All of this is up to the parent.

ATTENTION CITY LEADERS:

It IS, however, the city's responsibility to ensure its residents have all opportunities for a good quality of life. That includes environment, economy and society. The environment is what we see first. Air, green space, traffic, natural features, noises, cleanliness. All are among first-impressions of a city, and it's up to the Mayor and City Council to make sure they attend to these areas.

The next consideration is the economy. What services does Arab offer, and what are the taxes we pay for these services? Are there work opportunities in town and surrounding areas? Is there a healthy mix of locally-owned and franchise businesses? Again, the economy is a major concern of the city's government.

Lastly is the society. Research shows that this is by far the greatest factor in determining whether people stay in a town. Society. Do citizens feel safe, welcome and included? At the most basic of our feelings, do we feel as if we belong here? Society is not just for the adults in the city, but for everyone, from newborns to the elderly. The governing bodies of Arab should make the "society" part of this triad more of a priority, in my opinion.

Arab does not need an airport. The very thought is ludicrous to me. Arab does not need a bypass. Again, this is folly and a way for the existing administration to swell with pride, "I was in office when this or that happened.". Arab does not need another bank, parts store, hardware store, Mexican restaurant, or pharmacy. Arab has a fabulous fire and rescue squad, quite capable hospital, solid police force, several support agencies and places of worship.

Arab does need a larger and more modern animal control facility. Arab does need more diverse businesses. Arab does need to encourage empty buildings to be used instead of new ones being built. Arab does need to review its ordinances, make sure they are current and relevant, and enforce them.

ATTENTION PARENTS AND CITIZENS:

I have to roll my eyes when citizens (probably parents of teens) say that if the teens had more entertainment options, they would stay out of trouble. I beg to differ. Good decision-making skills are not born from over stimulation. They are born from practice. When a good decision is made, it's rewarded. When a bad decision is made, it has like-consequence. To provide a path for your teen, then roll them down it on a lounge chair does everyone a disservice. However, to provide several options, letting them decide with your strong parental guidance, grows adults.

So, with all of that said, when you leave your teen at home during the summer while you are at work, don't think that it's up to our Mayor and City Council to make sure junior is properly entertained all day. That's YOUR job. Use some imagination and come up with ideas: volunteer work, part-time job (in the state of Alabama, you can hold some jobs at age 14), tutoring, visiting shut-ins or nursing home residents, a special project that will last for several weeks, or (heaven forbid) chores, tasks and jobs at home.

Remember that YOU are in charge. Your child doesn't tell YOU what he will/won't do. You tell HIM what to do. You can discuss it together and make the decision or you can be a benevolent dictator and see how that goes.

Then, at night, when all of the trouble starts at the city park, spend some time with your teen. Family movie night, cook and eat a meal together, host his friends at your house for pizza and ice cream, look at old pictures or make a summer photo album together. Sound cheesy? Have a look online at statistics of kids who do these activities with their families and see if the benefits outweigh the cheese-factor. If you still think it sounds too suburban to be a good parent, you'll get no sympathy from me when junior runs into someone he can't bully and calls his bluff, with perhaps lethal consequences.

And, when you do allow your teen to go out alone or with friends, check on him. Ride by the park and make sure your teen is not hanging out. Go to the old Food World parking lot and make sure everything is okay. Have a curfew and enforce it.

Being a parent is not easy and it's not always pleasant. Your teen has friends, so don't worry about being his buddy. Be a loving parent instead, active and present in his life. He may make you think you are unnecessary and annoying, but deep down, he will feel important, loved, respected, safe and secure. He'll still get bored, but he may just stay out of trouble.