Sometimes I look in the faces of children and the innocence seems to have disappeared.  There are some boys in our neighborhood who just have that look.  It's not that they have done anything wrong that I know of-or that they have been rude or disrespectful that I know of, but it's just that look on their faces.  It's a hardened look that tells the world just how tough they are.  They don't smile and say hello.  They seem to be too cool to say hello to an old lady like me.  I admit that I am very suspicious of them, but I don't want to be.  My kids have wanted to play with them before and I always tell them that if they want to play they can come down to our house, but I do not think that they want to play with my kids. 

Sometimes I struggle with the feelings that my children do not have the close friends that I had when I was a kid.  I was friends with the neighborhood kids.  We had this little gang like the little rascals, and we never did anything wrong.  We played like kids play and had a great time doing it!  I think we were innocent as kids.  But I think about the boys down the street and I don't think that they would be that innocent in their play.  That's why I would rather have them come down here to play. 

I look into those hardened faces and it saddens me.  Childhood is so fleeting, and yet these kids look like they don't want to be kids anymore.  Maybe they do, but circumstances have pushed them to be so tough and hard.  Sadly, I am sure there are many more children just like the boys down the street!   

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Posted by 40winkzzz

Too brainless at the moment to make any sort of meaningful comment, but I just wanted to pop in and say hello. I still enjoy reading your blog!

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Posted by Ann-Marie

I have a believer-friend who has five children, and this is something she seriously worries about too, so know you are not alone. I also had a neighborhood "gang" I ran with when I was a little girl. We were completely innocent, too, but I totally agree with you that kids today are not nearly that innocent and COULD get into trouble a lot easier. I think the changing of the times have made us all wish for those more innocent days when we could play freely with the neighborhood kids! Hopefully, the neighborhood kids will enjoy their time at your house, and you'll get to know them better, too! Good luck!

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Posted by Jess

Hi Beth,
Just my take on it all...trust your mommys intuition. There is probably good reason they dont want to play at your house under your watchful eye. Granted, Im not judging these boys I dont know, but unfortunately the verse is true..."evil companions corrupt good morals". My brothers are true testiment to this. Pray for Godly friends for your boys, and then maybe schedule time for them to come over and play. I will be careful about who Julia plays with. Not meaning we cant love these children because they may need it more than others, but they have to be willing to receive the love and direction...aka..playing at your house. :o) I am so thankful God gave me your friendship. I couldnt have asked for a more sweet friend who follows after God. Love ya!

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Posted by MrsDarling

My kids have some very good friends in the neighborhood that they have grown up with but there's a pcak of 3 boys about 13 that have been causing problems. Luckily all the grownups are on the lookout and keep close tabs of things when those boys join the group. Their parents of course dont think they do anything wrong but I can tell you horrid stories of things they have done in the woods. I guard my kids like a hawk when they're around!

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Posted by ByHisGraceInColorado

We had some boys move into our neighborhood that seemed pretty nice, and my two boys befriended them, but then we started seeing a side of them that was very hard to deal with. One stole my sons bike, then he hit my other son in the mouth for no reason. (Two unrelated incidents.) It makes me sad, although I know that God put my two boys together for a reason, and they can be wonderful friends (when they are not fighting-LOL)

Sometimes it is hard because of how we grew up, we wish it were the same for our kids. Times were simpler then. :)

Nancy

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