Army Brats...The Sequel

A childs behavior has a tendency to reflect upon that of the parents. Thats something most of us can agree on. For instance, I have no one to blame but myself, for my childs sarcasm. But I also, have to take credit for my childs ability to know right from wrong. (stay with me I have a point here)
My children know, we don't pick on other kids. They know, they are not to leave the house without my permission,and they know by showing disrespect of any adult the taste of vinegar will follow. However, living in an Army Community, I can't say as all parents agree with this type of "old school" discipline.
I am the first person to say being an Army wife is hard, and the first person to say having children in this life is harder. But when we make the decision to have those children, we are expected to uphold a certain standard. For my current examples we will work only from my current military location. At this post within the last 9 months....
1. Baby approx. 13-14 mos walking down middle of main street while I waited to get my child off bus. Went knocking door to door to find mother. Finally found mother, sleeping in mid day approx 1/8th of mile from location child was found.
2. Baby approx. 11 months in middle of main street, as my car came around the corner I seen her in just enough time to hit the breaks. No parents in sight. Called 911, adults happened to walk outside just before police arrive. I yelled for them to see if they knew who this child belonged to, luck would have it she was theirs. Did not know their child was missing. This time about 1/4 mile from home.
3. 7 yr old girl on bus, picking on another child. This goes on for several min. the boy gets tired of situation, yells at girl and pushes her away. Girl gets off bus, her MOTHER climbs on bus and verbally assaults and threatens harm of boy. (wonder where the child gets it from?)
4. Boy 8 yrs old, picks on my son 4 yrs old. Pushes him down and yells at him. My son proceeds to kick his hiney. Very proud of him at this point.
5. Same boy 8 yrs old, starts a rumor among group of neighborhood boys. Tells them he "made out" with my 6 yr old daughter on the bus. I very calmly talk to parents. Their excuse "uh..I don't know" and shrug their shoulders. (again no wonder their childs a pervert)Now when these little boys start getting curious about sex, who do you think they are going to come to? My daughter has been put into jeopardy because a parent "doesn't know".

These are not isolated events. It is nothing to walk outside and see a dozen children under the age of 10 running around the neighborhood unsupervised. Its rare that you will see a mother anywhere in sight. Some are sleeping, some are just not paying attn, and one even goes to work and leaves her 8 yr old at home alone.
What's really funny about most of these situations, is when something does happen to these children, everybody is so shocked. What do you expect to happen, when you have a child, ignore them when they act like fools, and get so wrapped up in yourself you don't know where your child is, let alone what they are doing?

Being an Army Brat is hard enough. These kids have to grow up fast enough from Army life. Why double that pressure on them? The local highschools have had to add numerous pregnancy programs. In one highschool in the 8th grade class alone, there were more than 6 pregnancies all military children. On this post, there were numerous home invasions and burglaries, turns out military children. Violence is more than rampant. Pre-teen/teen boys think its ok to hit their girlfriends. Their mothers excuse "he has a problem dealing with his emotions".

Army wives have gotten lazy when it comes to their children. We are held to a higher standard, its time we achieve that standard.
We are Army Wives for goodness sake. Stand up and act like it!