We might not want to be so quick to judge here.. We don't know what other things might have happened that led up to this, and perhaps we don't need to know more anyway. We may think we're seeing the whole picture here when chances are we're not.

First, Clif, like any parent, has every right to set the limits on what his kids can and can't do, regardless of what the rest of us might think about the benefits or lack thereof of kickboxing or anything else. He also already said that his transportation duties were stretched to the limit. I know exactly how that is, being the only driver in a 4 person household and living in the sticks to boot.

Second, It isn't wrong that Clif is thinking of his material possessions, and he did say he is looking for answers to what caused the problem in the first place, and it sounds like he is questioning his parenting skills to boot. The attack for him was likely very personal, because it was on his beloved equipment. Don't discount the significance of that.

Actually, I think his reaction is probably pretty normal based on what I've experienced and learned myself for what has unfortunately been a long road for my family. It is my hope that for his family that this is a more isolated incident that is a symptom of something that can be addressed in some way that the outcome becomes positive, and that he doesn't have so long a road with this.

I am the stepfather of a very troubled ( adult ) child, hence I am raising 2 lovely granddaughters, much to my delight. The situations and events that caused this however are far from delightful. Our story doesn't have a happy ending as far as my stepdaughter is concerned, at least not to this point, and this has been going on for many years already.. but... the children are safe and seem to be rather happy, and we've all come to terms with and accepted the situation for what it is as best we can. My wife and I have both run the gamut of emotions on this and have sought out and received much professional help, so I do speak with some ( learned of course ) experience when I tell you that what you think you'll do and feel may not be reality when it hits you ( and I hope it never does ), but Dear Abby and Ann Landers probably aren't gonna be enough.

Maybe you might want to rethink this and maybe then you'll want to cut Clif some slack here... ok ? He needs nothing more than support from his friends here at the zone. If he thinks the situation warrants it, the real helpful analysis and advice should come from profesionals.

AJ



[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 10-17-2005).]