Play ball with the kids

Do you remember neighbors or adult friends who played ball with you as a kid? These are character-building, inspiring times for kids (boys or girls). It's more than the Cat's in the Cradle idea, it is that kids spell love T-I-M-E. Give them your time--even when you feel you don't have it yourself. They really appreciate it and need it more than you realize. There is a lot at stake as kids mature--many distractions and temptations. And it is even more an issue than it was when you were a kid. It just may be that your attention keeps one from going astray.