But remember, I'm an experienced driver. Our children have felt left out in the past, for example, when we didn't allow instant messaging for our eldest daughter, and when the second daughter was invited but not permitted to see PG-13 movies, and when our son claimed his social life would improve with the purchase of an Xbox 360. They all survived.
No, wait - they thrived.
Their disappointment gave way to resignation and eventually they figured out that good friends don't require a cover charge of gadgetry or access to media. They realized that their time was better spent on a bike or shooting hoops in the driveway or reading a book. The potholes filled in with time and maturity and genuine friendships, and the ride was smooth once more.
Anyone who owns a minivan will tell you the ride gets bumpy from time to time. Then again, negotiating potholes is what minivan drivers do best.
Marybeth Hicks
Marybeth Hicks is the author of
Don't Let the Kids Drink the Kool-Aid: Confronting the Left's Assault on Our Families, Faith, and Freedom (Regnery Publishers, 2011).