Tough call

Our children are angels. They would never do anything bad.

It is a parent’s belief, their child is a good person, making good decisions. They do not want to think the worst of their child. It would be admitting to failing as a parent.

We are not talking about skipping homework, saying a bad word or talking back. Those are easy acts to remedy.

But what happens when a child decides to do something vile? What if they perform a criminal act, leaving a victim hurting.

Not many parents can honestly look at their child and admit they have done wrong on a scale requiring the police. It takes true strength to override parental pride and show your love by forcing their child into the criminal justice system. It may be the only method to help save the child.

In the last week, we saw two parents do the right thing. The painful thing. An act that brought them shame and scorn from vain, petty individuals. It was the one thing their son may have needed to save his life. They called the police to report him stealing and fencing their possessions for drugs.

It is a courageous act. It is one that needs to be done more often.

How many parents overlook the cans of spray paint in their teenager’s bedroom? Do you ask why they need it? Do they have a good answer? Are there fences and garages marked with the same color spray paint in your neighborhood?

Now Moses Lake police are looking for the young men who destroyed the Japanese Peace Garden.

The young, pathetic losers found joy in destroying gifts to our city. They took vulgar pleasure in breaking pieces of our garden. They victimized all of us.

The police are investigating the crimes.

But these kids were wearing masks and not Halloween masks. Why does a teenager need a mask?

If you are the parent of a teenage male, who was out of the house the nights the vandalism took place, does your son have a mask? Where is it? Where did they get it? Why do they have it? Ask them. All parents know when their child lies to them.

Punishing them at home won’t be enough for the children destroying city property.

You will need to find the strength to call the police and turn your children over to the authorities. Otherwise, they will know they can do it again, get caught and only suffer some minor discomfort in being grounded.

They need to understand these acts are not acceptable. They need to understand they are hurting people. They need to understand these bad decisions can hurt their future. They need the shame that goes with doing such things.

If they get away with minor crimes, it encourages them to step up the risk for a bigger thrill. The increase in criminal activity could lead to a day when you grieve for your child after you learn they have hurt or killed someone in their recklessness. Seeing the picture of an innocent child or a parent devastated by your child’s act, is extremely painful. It hurts more than punishing them correctly when it was just tagging or destroying city property.

They need you now more than ever because only strong loving parents can save them from themselves.

— Editorial board